Southern California Rattled By Twin Earthquakes Near Julian: What Happened And What It Means
Southern California was shaken over the weekend as two earthquakes struck near the mountain town of Julian in San Diego County—reminding residents of the ever-present risk beneath their feet. The quakes, while not catastrophic, reignited public concern about earthquake preparedness and the potential impacts of a larger seismic event in the region.
The first tremor, a magnitude 3.5 quake, occurred at 3:54 p.m. Sunday, centered about 2.9 miles south of Julian and at a depth of roughly 8 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Just hours later, a stronger magnitude 5.2 earthquake jolted the same area on Monday morning, swinging light fixtures, rattling shelves, and raising anxiety as far north as Los Angeles.
Despite the strength of Monday’s quake—a far cry from the minor shakes San Diegans are used to—authorities reported no major injuries or structural damage. Riley Ozuna, owner of the beloved Julian Cafe & Bakery, described the moment with calm resolve: “Some cups fell onto the ground at her business. But everything is OK,” she told reporters. CBS 8’s Abbie Black noted feeling the shake in Santee, highlighting how widely the tremors were felt across the county and beyond.
The swift response from officials was reassuring. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department reported no immediate injuries or damage. Governor Gavin Newsom’s office quickly announced that he had been briefed and that the state was coordinating with local responders to assess the impact.
Beyond the immediate aftermath, these events served as a pointed reminder of the critical importance of earthquake preparedness. The City of San Diego issued renewed safety tips, urging residents to identify safe spots in their homes, maintain an emergency disaster kit, and institute family communication plans. “We cannot predict earthquakes,” emphasized Dr. Pat Abbott, professor of geology emeritus at San Diego State University, “but geologically, we are overdue for what we estimate to be a 7.8 magnitude on the Salton Sea.”
The specter of a larger quake, such as a hypothetical 6.9 magnitude event along the Rose Canyon Fault, underscores the stakes. According to a 2020 Earthquake Engineering Research Institute report, such a quake could cause up to $38 billion in damages and potentially 800 deaths in San Diego alone. This would rival California's infamous quakes, like the 1989 Loma Prieta event that devastated the Bay Area.
Nevertheless, experts like Dr. Abbott reassure that California’s construction standards and earthquake awareness lower the risk of the kind of catastrophic building collapses seen in recent international disasters. “California is not going to receive that same level of destruction… widespread collapse of buildings, no.”
As San Diego collects itself after a jarring reminder from the earth below, the quakes serve as both a wake-up call and a testament to preparedness. Are you ready for the next one? Share your experiences, safety tips, and questions in the comments below.
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