A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck near Julian, California, late Monday night, jolting San Diego County and even sending tremors as far north as Los Angeles, nearly 120 miles away.

he quake, which hit at approximately 11:23 p.m., was felt across a wide area of Southern California. Residents reported hearing windows rattle, seeing hanging lights sway, and feeling furniture shift unexpectedly. Many described the sensation as a sharp, sudden jolt followed by a gentle rolling motion. Though it lasted only a few seconds, it was strong enough to startle people out of bed and prompt a flood of social media posts describing the experience.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that, despite the quake’s intensity, there were no immediate reports of injuries or major structural damage. Emergency response teams were quickly mobilized to assess key infrastructure and ensure public safety.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake originated at a relatively shallow depth of around 8 miles beneath the surface. Shallow quakes often result in stronger shaking at ground level compared to deeper events.
In a promising development, many residents received an early warning on their smartphones about five seconds before the ground began to shake, thanks to California’s ShakeAlert system. While a few seconds may seem insignificant, experts emphasize that even a short advance notice can allow people to move away from windows, brace themselves, or take cover—potentially preventing injuries.