California, USA – A strong earthquake

shook several areas of Southern California early Monday morning ,

alarming residents and highlighting the seismic vulnerability of this region of the country.

The quake, which the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

said had a preliminary magnitude of 5.4 ,

was centered in an area where major tectonic plates meet ,

explaining its intensity and destructive potential.

“It felt really bad”: witness accounts

On social media, hundreds of users shared their experiences during the earthquake

. Many described the shock as “brief but very strong

” and reported that the ground shook suddenly, accompanied by a deep rumble.

Although no casualties or serious structural damage have been reported,

several schools have suspended classes as a precaution,

and emergency teams are inspecting key infrastructure such as bridges and hospitals.

An active seismic zone

The epicenter of the earthquake was located

near the intersection of the Pacific and North American tectonic plates ,

specifically in the San Andreas fault system ,

one of the most studied and feared in the world.