5.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Southern California, Causing Minor Disruptions

Southern California experienced a 5.2 magnitude earthquake on Monday morning, resulting in minor disruptions across the region. The seismic event, which occurred at 10:08 a.m. local time, was centered in San Diego County, just a few miles from the mountain town of Julian, known for its apple pie shops. Residents felt the tremors as far north as Los Angeles County, approximately 120 miles away.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake was followed by several aftershocks. Local businesses reported some items falling from shelves, while transportation officials warned motorists of rocks that had tumbled onto roads and highways, including State Route 76, located northwest of Julian.

Paul Nelson, who owns a historical mining site in Julian, noted that while some picture frames fell in his gift shop, the site itself remained undamaged. Fortunately, no injuries or significant damage were reported in the area. On Sunday, a smaller tremor, measured at 3.5, had also been felt in Julian, which authorities indicated was a foreshock to the larger earthquake on Monday.

At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, a herd of African elephants displayed protective behavior towards their young during the quake, forming an 'alert circle.' This instinctive reaction illustrates elephants' ability to sense vibrations through their feet. After several minutes, the herd appeared to settle down once the shaking ceased.

In terms of transportation, the North County Transit District experienced delays as crews inspected tracks for any potential damage. Precautionary measures were taken in schools, with children being escorted outside as a safety protocol during the shaking.

Capt. Thomas Shoots from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection remarked on the intensity of the quake, noting how the area experienced significant shaking but thankfully returned to normal quickly. The San Diego County Sheriff's Department confirmed that no immediate reports of injuries or property damage were received.

Riley Ozuna, owner of Julian Cafe & Bakery, mentioned that some cups had fallen but assured that everything was fine. The earthquake struck at a depth of 8.3 miles near the Elsinore fault zone, a region known for its seismic activity and part of the larger San Andreas fault system, which typically experiences at least one magnitude 4.0 quake annually.

The USGS ShakeAlert system successfully notified some residents seconds before the tremor hit, while others received alerts shortly after the shaking stopped. In an unusual incident, residents in Michigan, over 2,000 miles away, also received a shake alert due to a temporary cell tower deployment, leading to confusion amidst their ongoing recovery from a major ice storm.