5.4 earthquake shakes L.A. area

An earthquake shook buildings just before noon today in the greater L.A. area.

The quake was estimated at a 5.8 magnitude but was later reported to be 5.4 by the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake centered in Chino Hills in San Bernardino County. Buildings were shaken in downtown Los Angeles, though no damages or injuries have been reported as of press time.

University officials assessed the campus and reported no damages to any campus facilities.

“There’s no threat to the university,” said David Burns, emergency manager for UCLA.

Students were notified through e-mail and text messaging by the BruinAlert system, notifying them of the possibility of an aftershock, Burns said.

It was the first time the BruinAlert system has been used since its implementation in November.

Burns said the earthquake has allowed the university to test its emergency systems in preparation for the future.

Those wishing to get more information can tune into AM 1630. Reports of damage can be phoned in to 310-825-9236.