A magnitude 3.9 earthquake struck Hollywood just as the stars were celebrating post-Oscars. The epicenter of the earthquake was in North Hollywood, just a few miles away from the Dolby Theatre, where the awards ceremony took place.
Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries from the earthquake. The quake occurred shortly after 10:00 pm local time, while celebrities were gathering at the popular Vanity Fair afterparty.
Witnesses in the area described feeling a sudden jolt of energy, with some even screaming and observing high-rise buildings wobbling like jelly. Although the earthquake was felt across Los Angeles, the US Geological Survey confirmed that there was no tsunami alert issued.
The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that the earthquake was felt across downtown Los Angeles but did not trigger an “Earthquake Mode” response from the agency.
For stronger earthquakes, first responders and officials typically conduct assessments to ensure there is no structural damage to buildings and infrastructure.
This recent earthquake is one of around 40 seismic events that have occurred in Southern California since the beginning of March. Most of these earthquakes were small and not typically felt by residents, according to data from the USGS.
Last month, a magnitude 3.7 earthquake struck the nearby Malibu area, while a powerful magnitude 7 earthquake hit northern California in December. BBC correspondents covering the Academy Awards in Hollywood reported feeling strong shaking and hearing screams during the earthquake.
One resident described it as the biggest earthquake she had ever felt, despite it being only a magnitude 3.9. BBC reporter Emma Vardy shared her experience of feeling the building she was in shake while retouching her makeup for Oscars filming.
