Powerful earthquake hits California after swarm of eight tremors and mudslides
Parts of California – including Los Angeles – have been hit by a 3.7 magnitude earthquake.
It struck the Malibu area late on Friday at around 11.44pm, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
The quake was also felt in surrounding areas more than 20 miles away including Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Ventura and parts of Los Angeles.
So far, there has been no reports of any injuries or damage.
It comes just hours after huge mudslides swept cars away following an ‘atmospheric river’ event.
The USGS said Friday’s tremor just one of nine quakes that have hit California since Thursday.
The strongest one recorded was 4.3 magnitude that hit just north of Avenal on Thursday afternoon.
Others were also recorded near Hayward in California’s Bay Area on the same afternoon.
Two struck within two minutes of each other and all three occurred along the Hayward fault line.
An atmospheric river is a long and narrow section in the air that transports water vapour outside of the tropic, often released as rain or snow.
Large debris flows left many streets inaccessible, including Mulholland Drive in Santa Monica and others in the Palisades.
The flood warnings lasted into yesterday afternoon.
2025 has already been a tough month for the state with millions still impacted by January’s devastating wildfires.
Areas impacted by wildfires are more prone to debris flow because vegetation, which helps keep soil in place, has been replaced with loose rocks, ash and dirt.
The inferno was the worst in the city’s history and ravaged many areas including Eaton and Palisades.
Firefighters were unable to contain the infernos that spread though many acres of the city.
At the time, the flames were exacerbated by hurricane-force 80mph gales – and the fact that parts of the LA county have not seen any rain in months.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.