A 3.9-magnitude earthquake struck the North Hollywood area late Sunday night, shaking parts of Los Angeles just hours after the conclusion of the Academy Awards, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor occurred at 10:13 p.m. PST at a depth of approximately 9.5 miles, with its epicenter located about 1.24 miles east-southeast of North Hollywood.
The quake was widely felt across the Los Angeles region, with residents from Santa Clarita to Anaheim reporting the shaking. More than 8,000 people logged reports through the USGS "Did You Feel It?" tool. A USGS map indicated "light shaking" in Burbank and North Hollywood, while tremors extended into parts of Orange and Ventura counties.
Despite the widespread reports, officials said there were no immediate signs of injuries or structural damage. The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that it did not enter its earthquake mode, a protocol involving a strategic citywide survey for potential damage. However, the Verdugo Fire Department noted that multiple agencies were patrolling districts as a precaution.
Renowned seismologist Lucy Jones addressed the quake on social media, stating it was "too small to definitively assign to any fault, but the closest is the Hollywood fault." She added, "Yawn. Nothing much to say about an earthquake in earthquake country."
The temblor struck roughly 10 miles from Hollywood, where many of the entertainment industry's biggest stars were still celebrating after the annual Oscars ceremony. While some attendees may have felt the mild tremors, the event concluded without incident.
Earthquakes of this magnitude are relatively common in the seismically active Los Angeles Basin, though they rarely cause significant damage. The region sits atop multiple fault lines, including the Hollywood Fault, which has the potential to produce stronger quakes.
