Elsinore Fault Awakens: Julian Quake Shakes Southern California

A 5.2-magnitude earthquake originating from the Elsinore Fault rattled Southern California Monday morning, with its epicenter located just south of the mountain town of Julian. The tremor, which struck at 10:08 a.m., sent shockwaves across San Diego County and into neighboring regions, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones identified the quake as likely associated with the Elsinore Fault, a significant branch of the larger San Andreas Fault system. Jones noted that Sunday’s smaller 3.3-magnitude earthquake in the same area was actually a foreshock to Monday’s larger event.

The earthquake originated approximately eight miles below the Earth’s surface, with the epicenter pinpointed 2.49 miles south of Julian in San Diego County. No serious injuries have been reported, though some properties near the epicenter sustained damage.

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The Fault Beneath Our Feet

The Elsinore Fault Zone runs roughly parallel to the coast from Los Angeles to the Mexican border, one of several major fault systems that crisscross Southern California. While less active than some other faults in the region, it remains capable of producing significant earthquakes.

Monday’s tremor occurred along a segment of the fault that has been relatively quiet in recent years. According to Dr. Jones, the sequence starting with Sunday’s foreshock follows typical patterns for the region’s seismic activity.

The USGS recorded at least seven aftershocks in the hour following the initial quake. Seismologists continue to monitor the area for additional activity, as aftershock sequences can sometimes last days or weeks following moderate earthquakes.

“Like Nothing I’ve Ever Felt Before”

Kevin Manaugh, a lifelong San Diego resident, received an early warning alert on his phone seconds before the shaking began. “I’ve lived in San Diego most of my life, I was born here, and this is probably the worst quake that I’ve ever felt,” Manaugh told the BBC.

“It was a bit shocking,” he continued. “Everything shook, it shook a lot. It rattled around and lasted maybe three seconds, and then it was over.”

In Julian, the quake’s effects were pronounced. Dylan Carniero was inside Mountain Spirits Liquor when the tremor hit. “I just hear like consecutive three to four different bursts and pops of different bottles,” he said, describing inventory damage as bottles fell from shelves.

Cracked Beams and Fleeing Residents

Ashely Pinnick from nearby Ramona reported structural damage to her home. “It felt like my entire roof was going to collapse. We have a large beam that runs through the center of our house, and I started to hear something cracking and that’s when I started screaming for everyone to get out, cause I was terrified,” Pinnick told CBS Los Angeles.

Linda Rangel in Escondido described her instinctive reaction: “My instinct was to just leave the building. I don’t know if that was the right thing to do, but I didn’t have any shoes on. I left my phone behind. I just got up and ran out.”

Even in coastal communities like Carlsbad, approximately 40 miles from Julian, the shaking was significant. “We definitely felt a very violent jolt, and it lasted about 10 seconds and our whole entire building was swaying as well… that was the biggest earthquake I’ve felt in a long time,” said a resident named Caroline.

Swift Response From Officials

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria quickly addressed the situation on social media. “San Diego experienced a strong earthquake centered near Julian. There’s no known visible or major damage to the city so far and I’m in communication with local, state, and federal officials,” Gloria wrote on X, urging residents to report damage through the city’s Get It Done service.

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office confirmed he had been briefed on the situation. The San Diego sheriff’s office reported no major injuries or damage but characterized it as a “developing situation.”

Approximately two hours after the earthquake, Perette Godwin, spokeswoman for the City of San Diego, told the BBC there had been no reports of structural damage or injuries within city limits. The National Weather Service confirmed no tsunami threat existed for coastal areas.

Warning System Proves Its Worth

The USGS early warning system provided crucial seconds of notice to many residents before the shaking began. Emergency alerts with the message “Drop, cover, hold on. Protect yourself” reached mobile phones throughout the region.

Manaugh credits the alert with giving him approximately 15 seconds to take shelter under a door frame. “The way they were able to predict that, it gave me time to get to a point of safety,” he said.

While earthquakes remain impossible to predict days or weeks in advance, this early detection system detects the initial P-waves that travel faster than the more damaging S-waves, creating a brief window for warnings.

According to NBC San Diego, the quake was widely felt across Southern California and into Mexico. For residents like Manaugh, it served as a reminder to prepare for natural disasters. “Between this and the wildfires in Los Angeles, it made me think that it’s probably a good idea to have an evacuation bag,” he said.

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