An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.2 rattled the San Diego County area Monday.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake struck at 10:08 a.m. The epicenter was about 2.5 miles South of Julian, at a depth of roughly 8 miles.

The large earthquake apparently struck along the Elsinore Fault Zone and was preceded on Sunday by a 3.3 foreshock, Seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones said. Several smaller aftershocks were also reported shortly after Monday’s quake.

The Elsinore Fault is considered a little sister to the San Andreas Fault and experiences a 4.0 magnitude quake about once a year. 

Tracy from the Warm Hearth of Julian said it felt like something had hit the building. “We definitely had some stuff flying off the shelves,” Tracy said. “It got your attention for sure.”

Tracy said she did not see any serious damage in the area.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office stated that it had been briefed on the earthquake and was coordinating with local authorities to assess any damage and whether an emergency response was needed.

Metrolink temporarily canceled service between San Clemente and Oceanside following the quake.

“We have people inspecting the tracks currently,” Metrolink Public Relations Manager Meredith Yeoman said. It was unclear when the tracks would reopen.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also commented on the quake, which reached the Los Angeles region as well.

“Our @LAFD is in earthquake mode and has activated to conduct its routine survey of the city to assess for any damages. City teams will continue to monitor,” Bass posted on X.

Thousands of earthquakes are recorded in California annually, but the vast majority are incredibly minor. Several hundred reach a magnitude of 3.0, and only about 15 to 20 reach a magnitude of 4.0 or greater, according to the USGS.   

In North America, only Alaska records more quakes per year than California. 

What to do in an earthquake

During an earthquake, knowing the proper steps to protect yourself and minimize injury is crucial. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) provides detailed guidelines on what to do during such events. Here are the key points:

Drop: Immediately drop down onto your hands and knees. This position prevents you from being knocked over and allows you to stay low and crawl to safety if necessary.

Cover: Use one arm to protect your head and neck, and if possible, take shelter under a sturdy table or desk. If no shelter is available, get down next to an interior wall away from windows. Stay on your knees and bend over to protect vital organs.

Hold On: Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if it shifts.