Late Monday night, a 5.2-magnitude tremor erupted beneath the hills near Julian, California, jolting San Diego County at 11:23 p.m. and sending ripples of fear as far north as Los Angeles, nearly 120 miles away. In homes across Southern California, startled residents leapt from their beds as windows rattled and chandeliers swung like pendulums. The initial jolt struck with surprising force, then melted into a gentle, undulating roll that left couches shifted and picture frames askew, before silence fell once more.

Within moments, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and local emergency teams were mobilized, racing to inspect bridges, schools, and hospitals for hidden damage. Remarkably, despite the quake’s sharpness, there have been no reports of serious injuries or collapsed structures. Officials attribute much of that fortunate outcome to the relatively shallow origin of the quake—just eight miles underground—combined with modern building standards and swift emergency response.<<…CONTINUE READING…>>>