Moderate mag. 4.3 earthquake - 1.1 mi east of Carson, Los Angeles County, California, USA, on Friday, Sep 17, 2021 at 7:58 pm (GMT -7) -

Moderate magnitude 4.3 earthquake at 12 km depth

18 Sep 03:01 UTC: First to report: EMSC after 3 minutes.
18 Sep 03:01: Now using data updates from USGS
18 Sep 03:04: Magnitude recalculated from 4.4 to 4.3.
18 Sep 03:50: Hypocenter depth recalculated from 14.7 to 11.9 km (from 9.1 to 7.4 mi). Epicenter location corrected by 0.9 km (0.6 mi) towards NE.

Update Sat, 18 Sep 2021, 05:51

Moderate quake rattles L.A. in the evening

Map of people reporting feeling the quake near LA last evening

Thousands of people felt a moderate magnitude 4.3 quake that shook L.A. last evening shortly before 8 pm local time on Sep 17, 2021.
Its epicenter was in Carson, near Long Beach, and the quake was caused by strike-slip motion (side-by-side sliding) on a fault near the Newport-Inglewood fault zone, USGS reported.
There was no significant damage. Small aftershocks can be expected over the next several hours.

Update Sat, 18 Sep 2021, 03:12

Moderate magnitude 4.3 earthquake 1 miles southeast of Carson, California, United States

4.3 quake 17 Sep 7:58 pm (GMT -7)

An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 occurred early evening on Friday, September 17th, 2021, at 7:58 pm local time near Carson, Los Angeles County, California, USA, as reported by the United States Geological Survey.
According to preliminary data, the quake was located at a shallow depth of 9.1 miles. Shallow earthquakes are felt more strongly than deeper ones as they are closer to the surface. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.
A second report was later issued by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), which listed it as a magnitude 4.2 earthquake.
Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake was probably felt by many people in the area of the epicenter. It should not have caused significant damage, other than objects falling from shelves, broken windows, etc.
In Carson (pop. 93,300) located 1 miles from the epicenter, the quake should have been felt as light shaking.
Weak shaking might have been felt in Torrance (pop. 148,500) located 4 miles from the epicenter, Gardena (pop. 60,400) 5 miles away, Compton (pop. 98,500) 6 miles away, Long Beach (pop. 474,100) 6 miles away, San Pedro (pop. 78,400) 6 miles away, Hawthorne (pop. 88,500) 8 miles away, South Gate (pop. 96,400) 10 miles away, and Los Angeles (pop. 3,971,900) 16 miles away.
VolcanoDiscovery will automatically update magnitude and depth if these change and follow up if other significant news about the quake become available. If you're in the area, please send us your experience through our reporting mechanism, either online or via our mobile app. This will help us provide more first-hand updates to anyone around the globe who wants to know more about this quake.

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Earthquake data

Earthquake details

Date & time	Sep 18, 2021 02:58:34 UTC -
Local time at epicenter	Friday, Sep 17, 2021 at 7:58 pm (GMT -7)
Status	Confirmed
Magnitude	4.3
Depth	11.9 km
Epicenter latitude / longitude	33.83133°N / 118.26367°W (Los Angeles, California, United States)
Antipode	33.831°S / 61.736°E
Shaking intensity	Light shaking
Felt	1242 reports
Primary data source	USGS (United States Geological Survey)
Nearest volcano	Lavic Lake (183 km / 114 mi)
Nearby towns and cities	2 km (1 mi) E of Carson (pop: 93,300) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby 7 km (4 mi) E of Torrance (pop: 148,500) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby 8 km (5 mi) SE of Gardena (pop: 60,400) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby 8 km (5 mi) SSW of Compton (pop: 98,500) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby 10 km (6 mi) NW of Long Beach (pop: 474,100) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby 12 km (8 mi) WSW of Lakewood (pop: 81,600) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby 13 km (8 mi) SE of Hawthorne (pop: 88,500) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby 25 km (15 mi) S of Los Angeles (pop: 3,971,900) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby 603 km (374 mi) SSE of Sacramento (pop: 490,700) \| Show on map \| Quakes nearby
Weather at epicenter at time of quake	Clear Sky 18.2°C (65 F), humidity: 82%, wind: 0 m/s (1 kts) from NE
Estimated seismic energy released	1.8 x 10¹¹ joules (49.4 megawatt hours, equivalent to 42.5 tons of TNT) \| about seismic energy

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Data for the same earthquake reported by different agencies

Info: The more agencies report about the same quake and post similar data, the more confidence you can have in the data. It takes normally up to a few hours until earthquake parameters are calculated with near-optimum precision.

Mag.	Depth	Location	Source
4.3	12 km	2km E of Carson, CA	USGS
4.2	6 km	1km ESE of Carson, CA	EMSC

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User reports for this quake (1312)

User reports estimate the perceived ground shaking intensity according to the MMI (Modified Mercalli Intensity) scale.

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Carson California (3.5 km NE of epicenter) [Map] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / single vertical bump / 5-10 s : Very intense jolt, news reports had the epicenter located at 223rd and Main Street in the city of Carson, two blocks from my house. We felt a very powerful and intense short jolt. We were literally right on top of it. | 14 users found this interesting.

San Pedro, CA / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : 4.3 intensity. We live between Point Fermin Park and Cabrillo Beach, not too far from Sunken City. Our whole house shook, including pots and pans. In the 11 years that I have lived in San Pedro, this is the strongest quake that I have actually felt. | 11 users found this interesting.

92646 (31 km SE of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 5-10 s : In my room, working at my desk. My desk started to shake, both cats popped up. Drink started shaking | 8 users found this interesting.

I was lying on the couch with my cat. My cat was so startled he went airborne.

San Pedro, Los Angeles, California (8.8 km SSW of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : I felt the building shake and rock back and forth. Also, our materials rattles. But mostly I felt shaking, rattling, and swaying back and forth. | 4 users found this interesting.

Inglewood, Los Angeles, California (16.2 km NNW of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 20-30 s : I was laying on my back, in my bed, and everything began to shake from side to side. Also, the earthquake lasted longer than any other earthquake I’ve experienced. | 4 users found this interesting.

Torrance, Los Angeles, California (7 km W of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 15-20 s : First a sound like an explosion followed by rattling windows, furniture and wall fixtures shaking up and down with a rolling sensation | 3 users found this interesting.

I was in the kitchen. Thought that there was an explosion Very nearby(with a bit of a vertical jolt). Then, the sound rumbled longer and the pots, pans, and dishes began to shake...realized it was an earthquake... started to get up...and it was over. Or seemed to be...as the screen door continued to shake for another 10-15 seconds... and then it was over.

Westminster in my bedroom. / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : I felt a jerk while sitting in my recliner then one real light movements. My phone notified while I was on Facebook that it was going to hit. Wow. | 5 users found this interesting.

Agoura Hills, CA / Very weak shaking (MMI II) / single lateral shake / 1-2 s : Very weak, barely noticeable. | 4 users found this interesting.

HARBOR CITY California / Light shaking (MMI IV) / single vertical bump / 2-5 s : We heard a noise then felt a jolt and then shaking back and forth for a seconds | 4 users found this interesting.

Torrance / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Felt like a truck hit the building. | 4 users found this interesting.

Carson california (1.9 km SSW of epicenter) [Map] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) : Moderate rumbling then a loud cracking sound then more rumbling. Pictures moved 30 seconds possibly | 3 users found this interesting.

Paramount, ca (11.8 km ENE of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / complex motion difficult to describe / 20-30 s : I was sitting in my room and all of a sudden i felt 2 sharp hard jolts followed by a weak rolling motion that lasted for about 20 seconds | 4 users found this interesting.

First comment to nite that mentioned at leaSt 2 events which is what I felt in nearbye Norwalk.

Los Angeles (14.2 km NNW of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / vibration and rolling / 1-2 s : Sitting on my bed I felt a quick violent jolt and then 2 seconds later there was another jolt, followed by brief rolling motion. | 3 users found this interesting.

long beach.ca (13.6 km SE of epicenter) [Map] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) : It was scary all of sudden it started shaking to left and right and there was 2 earth quakes. | 3 users found this interesting.

Long Beach California (13.9 km SE of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 30-60 s : Parked on the beach parking lot, It felt like my car was swaying side to side | 3 users found this interesting.

No Damage just weird seeing the sidewalk empty (public domain)

Scared Wife still doesn't want to get out her car (public domain)

Bellflower ca (15.6 km ENE of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / 2-5 s : It felt like we dropped and we shook a little | 3 users found this interesting.

Long Beach, CA (9.2 km SE of epicenter) [Map] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / single vertical bump / 1-2 s : Sitting in the couch, felt a violent jolt followed by a couple smaller movements. The whole building shook and heard creaking. Dog started barking. | 3 users found this interesting.

Long Beach, Los Angeles, California (9.2 km SE of epicenter) [Map] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / complex motion difficult to describe / 10-15 s : It was like a Sonic boom initially followed by some shaking. It was very strong | 2 users found this interesting.

LAX / Weak shaking (MMI III) / single vertical bump / 20-30 s : One big jolt and then about 15 20 seconds of light trembling. I was in a fairly busy airport and everybody felt it. There was no missing it | One user found this interesting.

Long Beach, Los Angeles, California (12 km ESE of epicenter) [Map] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / single lateral shake / 2-5 s : Initial strong vertical shake and immediate lateral motion in wave that tapered off. … the old bungalows can’t stand much worse .

Carson, Los Angeles (1.9 km WNW of epicenter) [Map] / Strong shaking (MMI VI) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / very short : I saw the whole house go up and down pretty violently two times then it started to shake side to side and slow down a little bit then it gotten stronger than it slow down and went away. I am 1/2 mile or les from the epicenter.

Los Angeles, California (27.9 km N of epicenter) [Map] / Light shaking (MMI IV) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 1-2 s : Light shaking. I w

Sun City, Riverside, California (100.7 km E of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) : Felt the floor shake. Sitting in my dining room kitchen in a mobile home park. I always hear a slight rumble too This was very small

Moreno Valley, Ca / Weak shaking (MMI III) / complex rolling (tilting in multiple directions) / 20-30 s : Initial bump, slow shaking with increase in intensity, then a slightly larger bump, and diminishing shaking. Lasted about 20-30 seconds. It felt like it might have been a 4.0 and a distance of 20-50 miles from me. | 2 users found this interesting.

Hawaiian Gardens / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : Felt bigger than 4.3 | 2 users found this interesting.

Chapman and west st, anahiem CA (31 km E of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / horizontal (sideways) swinging / 10-15 s : I’m sitting on a recliner lounge chair. I thought maybe the dog was movi | 2 users found this interesting.

Redondo Beach, CA 90277 / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : I was sitting at the kitchen counter, and could feel my chair rattling. I could hear loose objects vibrating in place as well. | 2 users found this interesting.

Colton, California (86 km ENE of epicenter) [Map] / Weak shaking (MMI III) / simple rolling (tilting sideways along one direction) / very short : I was in | 2 users found this interesting.

Long Beach, California (11.7 km ESE of epicenter) [Map] / Moderate shaking (MMI V) / both vertical and horizontal swinging / 20-30 s : Moderate to strong shake that grew in intensity for about 4 seconds and then went back to a mild shaking. Kinda scary. I was sitting in my living room. | 2 users found this interesting.

Los Angeles, CA 90066 / Light shaking (MMI IV) / rattling, vibrating / 2-5 s : My kitchen cabinet shook. | 2 users found this interesting. (reported through our app)

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