Sep 12, 2026 … Centred just north of Malibu, shaking from the 7:28 a. m. quake at a depth of about seven miles (12 kilometres) was reported in Malibu, Hermosa …
Well, well, well! It seems that the South Bay region of Los Angeles decided to start the day with a little shimmy, courtesy of a 3.6-magnitude earthquake that shook things up at 8:40 a.m. on Sunday. Yes, you read that right—just when you thought your morning coffee was the most jolting thing you’d experience!
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of this mini-quake was located about 4 miles west-southwest of Hermosa Beach, and it occurred at a depth of roughly 6.8 miles. For those of you keeping score at home, that’s just deep enough to be alarming but not deep enough to make it a full-blown geological drama.
Now, let’s talk about the numbers. The USGS initially graded the quake at a magnitude of 3.5, but then decided to bump it up to 3.6. Why? Because apparently, even earthquakes have a tendency to want to one-up each other. It’s like the geological version of a mic drop—”Oh, you thought I was a 3.5? Hold my tectonic plates!”
But let’s be real here. A 3.6 magnitude quake isn’t exactly going to send you running for the hills (or the nearest taco truck, which let’s face it, is probably a more pressing concern). It’s more of a gentle reminder that the ground beneath our feet is, well, alive and kicking. You might feel a little rumble, perhaps a few pictures rattling on the wall, but it’s not like you’re going to need to grab your go-bag and head for the door.
Of course, this quake attracted plenty of local media attention. ABC7 and KTLA were quick to report the news, probably because it’s not every day that the earth decides to give Hermosa Beach a little wake-up call. And who doesn’t love a good headline about a minor earthquake? It gives everyone something to talk about while they’re waiting in line for their morning bagel.
So, what can we take away from this seismic surprise? For starters, if you felt the quake and thought it was just your neighbor’s obnoxious stereo, congratulations! You’re officially a part of the Hermosa Beach Earthquake Club. Membership includes bragging rights and the ability to casually mention your experience in conversations.
In all seriousness, while a 3.6 magnitude quake might not be the end of the world (or even a slight inconvenience), it does serve as a reminder that we live in a geologically active area. So, if you’ve been putting off that earthquake preparedness kit, maybe now is the time to finally check it off your to-do list. Just remember, if all else fails, you can always shake it off!
Stay safe out there, Hermosa Beach, and keep an eye on the ground—after all, it has a tendency to move when you least expect it!
Inspired by: “Preliminary 3.5-magnitude earthquake strikes Hermosa Beach area, USGS says” (r/Local)