A moderate-sized earthquake, measuring 4.3 on the Richter scale, briefly shakes up Southern California.
Earthquake Hits Fontana, California: No Major Damage Reported
A magnitude 4.3 earthquake struck near Fontana, San Bernardino County, California, around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, according to the US Geological Survey. This seismic event was preceded by a series of smaller quakes in the same region earlier in the morning, most measuring around magnitude 3.
The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center based in Honolulu, Hawaii, issued tsunami alerts for parts of the Pacific following a powerful temblor measuring a magnitude 8.7 off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. Alerts were issued for various regions, including Japan, Hawaii, Russia, and Ecuador. However, the tsunami advisory for Los Angeles County beaches has since been canceled, and beaches in Long Beach, Marina del Rey, and Laguna Beach have been reopened.
Despite the earthquake, no reported damage or injuries have been recorded. The shaking was felt across various regions, including parts of Los Angeles County, but so far, no significant impact has been reported. The 4.4 magnitude event was widely felt across the High Desert and parts of the Inland Empire, which neighbors Los Angeles County.
This seismic activity in the Fontana area underscores the ongoing geological risk and highlights active fault movements in the region. Seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones stated that the region experiences frequent seismic activity, with many quakes falling in the 3.0 to 4.0 range. The frequency of quakes—five of magnitude 3.0 or greater in the past 10 days around Fontana—reflects typical earthquake occurrence rates for California’s Inland Empire.
Local authorities and experts emphasize the urgent need for enhanced earthquake preparedness due to the region’s seismic activity. The Department of Beaches and Harbors is opening restrooms, accessways, and parking lots at beaches it manages, as well as parking lots in Marina del Rey, hours earlier than anticipated, in response to the seismic activity.
As of early August 2025, the Fontana area is currently experiencing increased seismic activity with moderate earthquakes that are felt in nearby regions, including parts of Los Angeles County, though no major damage or disruptions have been reported.
The weather in the Fontana area remains undisturbed, given the earthquake that occurred. Despite the repeated seismic activity, weather patterns continue to persist as usual, with no reported changes or abnormalities.
