3.5-magnitude earthquake rattles Southern California, USGS says. 'Whole house shook'

By Daniella Segura

3.5-magnitude earthquake rattles Southern California, USGS says. 'Whole house shook'

A 3.5-magnitude earthquake shook the Southern California area, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The about 3-mile deep quake hit a little more than a mile from Ontario, about a 40-mile drive east from Los Angeles, at 12:56 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, according to the USGS.

More than 1,200 people from as far away as Irvine and Studio City reported feeling the tremor to the agency.

Users on X, formerly known as Twitter, were quick to comment on the tremor's strength, with one calling the quake "a big jolt and shake."

"EARTHQUAKE!! Man the whole house shook hard!!!" another user wrote.

"Another earthquake....i've felt more earthquakes this year than I have my entire life living in California," another person wrote.

What to know about earthquakes

Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey says. It replaces the old Richter scale.

Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt but rarely cause much damage, according to Michigan Tech. Quakes below 2.5 magnitude are seldom felt by most people.

Earthquakes' sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. They can happen anywhere, but they're most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

If an earthquake strikes, it's best to protect yourself right away. Here are tips from experts:

The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.

"Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy," officials say. "If you're using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops."

Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.

Once under a table, officials say you should hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it.

"There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines," officials say. "Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock."

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