Southern California has experienced a significant seismic event as a 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck near Julian, approximately 60 miles northeast of San Diego.

The quake, which occurred at around 10:33 AM PDT, sent tremors across a wide region, including San Diego County, Los Angeles, and parts of Orange County.

Residents reported feeling the ground shake for several seconds, with some describing it as a sharp jolt followed by a prolonged rolling motion.

While no major damage or injuries have been reported, the event has reignited discussions about earthquake preparedness in the region.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake’s epicenter was located at a depth of about 6.2 miles, classifying it as a shallow quake, which often results in stronger surface shaking.

The USGS noted that the quake was felt as far as 100 miles away, with reports of light shaking in Riverside and Imperial Counties.

“This was a notable event for the region, but fortunately, it does not appear to have caused significant structural damage,” said Dr. Lucy Jones, a seismologist with Caltech, in a statement to NBC News.

Local news outlets provided vivid accounts of the quake’s impact. FOX 5 San Diego reported that residents in downtown San Diego felt a “hard hit” followed by a prolonged rolling sensation, with some office workers evacuating buildings as a precaution.

The station also shared footage of swaying light fixtures and rattled store shelves in areas closer to the epicenter. Similarly, CBS 8 interviewed residents in Julian, who described the quake as “unnerving but brief,” with minor items falling off shelves in homes and businesses.

One Julian resident, Maria Gonzalez, told CBS 8, “It felt like the whole house was swaying for a good 10 seconds. We’re used to small tremors, but this one got our attention.”

Social media platforms, including X, buzzed with real-time reactions from Southern Californians. Posts described the quake as “scary” and highlighted its reach across the region, with some users sharing videos of shaking furniture.

However, seismologists cautioned that such posts, while reflective of public sentiment, should not be taken as definitive evidence of the quake’s scope without verification from official sources.

The Los Angeles Times reported that the quake occurred along the San Jacinto Fault, one of California’s most active fault systems.

Experts noted that while the 5.2 magnitude is considered moderate, it serves as a reminder of the region’s vulnerability to larger, more destructive earthquakes.

“Southern California is always at risk for seismic activity, and events like this underscore the need for preparedness,” said Dr. Allen Husker, a geophysics professor at UC San Diego, in the Times’ coverage.

The article also highlighted that local authorities conducted rapid assessments of critical infrastructure, such as bridges and dams, finding no immediate concerns.

ABC 7 Los Angeles reported that the quake prompted temporary closures of some schools and businesses in San Diego County as a precautionary measure.

Emergency services received a handful of calls about minor incidents, such as cracked windows and dislodged ceiling tiles, but no widespread disruptions were noted.

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department confirmed via Twitter that first responders were on alert but had not identified any major emergencies by mid-afternoon.

This earthquake marks one of the stronger events in Southern California in recent years, though it pales in comparison to the devastating 6.7-magnitude Northridge earthquake of 1994.

The USGS’s ShakeAlert system, which provides early warnings for seismic activity, was activated during the event, giving some residents a few seconds to take cover.

However, coverage from KPBS noted that the system’s effectiveness varies depending on proximity to the epicenter, and some San Diego residents reported receiving alerts only after the shaking had begun.