On Monday, August 12, Californians were shocked as their work week turned out to be what they were not expecting. Just twenty minutes past noon, a 4.4-magnitude earthquake shook the region, with its epicenter located near Pasadena, according to a source. Curious to know what a 4.4-magnitude earthquake is? Read on to find out!
But first, you must understand that the impact of this tremor was so huge that it disrupted live broadcasts. One such instance happened at ESPN’s Los Angeles studio, where the popular show “NBA Today” was being filmed.
Some Reactions to the 4.4 Magnitude Earthquake
During the broadcast earlier mentioned, anchor Malika Andrews was conducting a live interview with Rebecca Lobo. Midway into their conversation, Andrews’s expression changed as she sensed the earth beneath her shift.
The unexpected jolt made the studio uneasy. In fact, the moment was caught on camera and later shared on X. Unsurprisingly, the footage quickly went viral, gaining viewers’ attention and adding a bit of suspense to a different routine day.
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Andrews calmly acknowledged the situation, assuring viewers that the studio was being checked for safety as the tremors continued. After the show, Andrews took to social media to thank the staff and crew for maintaining their composure during the uneasy moment. She further urged fellow Los Angeles residents to stay safe.
On the other hand, Rebecca Lobo noted her admiration for how Andrews handled the situation while being composed. In addition to the first instance, another reaction to the quake was captured during ESPN Los Angeles’ “Travis & Sliwa Show.” As the tremor struck, host Travis Rodgers noted the intensity of the shaking. Funnily, producer Emily Hybl instinctively took cover under the table.
Something fell from the ceiling in the background. However, despite the disruption, nobody reported any significant damage. A city spokesperson revealed that Pasadena City Hall experienced a burst water pipe and some elevator malfunctions.
Is 4.4 a Strong Earthquake?
What do you think, though? The recent 4.4 magnitude earthquake was strong enough to jostle items off shelves, although it didn’t cause any widespread damage. But trust me, the quake caught many folks off guard.
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This was largely due to the earthquake epicenter being directly beneath a densely populated area. By 2 p.m. on Monday, over 20,000 individuals had submitted reports to the U.S. Geological Survey indicating that they had felt the quake.
Additionally, three smaller aftershocks were recorded in the hours following the main event, each registering below a magnitude of 3. Prior to this recent quake, several foreshocks had been detected in the area.
Currently, no one knows the exact fault responsible for Monday’s earthquake. Still, experts noted the potential threat posed by the nearby Puente Hills fault, which could have devastating consequences if a larger quake were to occur.
What Is the World’s Worst Earthquake Magnitude?
In 1960, Chile was the site of the strongest earthquake ever recorded, reaching an unprecedented magnitude of 9.5. Fast forward to 1964, and Alaska experienced a similar devastating event when a 9.2 magnitude quake struck another zone.
Notably, the strong 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, which led to a tsunami that claimed approximately 250,000 lives, also had a magnitude of 9.2 and took place in a subduction zone. Just so you know, a quake’s strength does not correspond to the number of casualties it causes.
For context, the 1976 earthquake in Tangshan, China, had a magnitude of only 7.0 but resulted in a death toll comparable to that of the 2004 Indian Ocean disaster. In contrast, the most serious earthquake ever documented in Chile resulted in relatively few fatalities.
Factors that influence the impact of earthquakes are majorly the depth at which the earthquake occurs, its proximity to densely populated areas, and the local geological conditions, known as site response. Thankfully, the unexpected jolt in the ESPN studio, which was caught on camera, didn’t result in any fatalities.
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