Southern California Shaken by 5.2-Magnitude Earthquake Near San Diego

April 15, 2025 — A 5.2-magnitude earthquake jolted residents across Southern California on Monday morning, with its epicenter located just south of the mountain town of Julian in San Diego County.

The quake struck at 10:08 a.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey, and was felt as far as Mexico. The seismic event, which occurred approximately eight miles below the Earth's surface, is believed to be linked to the Elsinore Fault, a branch of the larger San Andreas Fault system.

This earthquake follows a 3.3-magnitude foreshock recorded the previous day in the same region. Within minutes of the main quake, at least seven aftershocks were registered — the largest reaching a magnitude of 4.0.

Firsthand Reactions Across the Region

In Julian, a small historic town known for its apple pies and mountain charm, the quake rattled both buildings and nerves.

“Everybody in town seemed to react to it again, everybody running out to the sidewalks on Main Street,” said Robin Boland from the Julian Chamber of Commerce. “Car alarms were going off. It definitely shook things up.”

Nearby, Dylan Carniero was inside Mountain Spirits Liquor when he felt the quake hit.

“I just hear like three to four different bursts and pops of bottles,” he recalled. Several bottles were knocked from the shelves, causing minor damage inside the store.

In Ramona, resident Ashely Pinnick reported hearing loud cracks in her ceiling and feared structural failure.

“It felt like my entire roof was going to collapse… I started screaming for everyone to get out,” she said.

Reports from Escondido, Carlsbad, and other parts of San Diego County echoed similar moments of fear and disorientation. Linda Rangel of Escondido described running barefoot outside her house, leaving her phone behind in the scramble to get to safety.

Despite the strong shaking and multiple aftershocks, no major injuries or significant structural damage have been reported as of this writing.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria confirmed ongoing communication with local, state, and federal officials, urging residents to report any damage through the city’s “Get It Done” portal.

A Reminder of the Region's Seismic Activity

Seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones noted that Monday’s quake serves as a reminder of the seismic complexity of Southern California. While the Elsinore Fault is less notorious than the San Andreas, it is still a capable source of strong shaking throughout the region. Source: CBS News