Ventura County Earthquake: 3.4-Magnitude Shock Hits Ojai and Coast

A moderate quake rattled Ventura County early Tuesday, sending tremors felt along the coast.

The magnitude‑3.4 earthquake was reported at 7:06 a.m. Tuesday, four miles south of Ojai. The shaking was reported in Ojai, Ventura, Carpinteria, Santa Barbara and other locations along the coast. The event was described as a moderate quake. Residents in the affected areas felt the tremors.

Following the main shock, two smaller quakes were recorded. A magnitude‑1.3 quake occurred in the same general area. A magnitude‑2.2 quake also followed in the same region northwest of Los Angeles.

Whether people feel shaking depends on three major factors: magnitude, distance, and local soil conditions. Magnitude refers to the strength of the quake. The closer a location is to the epicenter, the more likely it is to feel the shaking. Seismic waves become less intense as they travel outward from the fault.

Aftershocks are smaller quakes that follow a larger event. Some earthquakes are followed by a larger earthquake, in which case the first quake would then be called a foreshock. For example, the magnitude‑9.1 Japan earthquake and tsunami in 2011 was preceded by a magnitude‑7.3 foreshock two days earlier.

Aftershocks decrease over time, but can continue for days, weeks, months, and years. The 3.4‑magnitude event was followed by the 1.3 and 2.2 quakes. These aftershocks are part of the natural seismic activity following a main shock.

Residents of Ojai reported feeling the tremors as the quake unfolded. In Ventura, people also reported shaking. Carpinteria experienced the quake’s effects. Santa Barbara felt the seismic waves, along with other coastal locations.

The shaking was felt in multiple coastal communities. Each city reported the event at different times. The impact was noted across the region. The reports came from local residents.

The magnitude‑3.4 quake was reported at 7:06 a.m. Tuesday, four miles south of Ojai. The quake’s epicenter was located in that area. The shaking was reported in Ojai, Ventura, Carpinteria, Santa Barbara and other locations along the coast. The event was described as moderate.

The factors that determine how shaking is felt are well understood. Magnitude indicates the strength of the quake. Distance from the epicenter affects the intensity of shaking. Soil conditions amplify or dampen the waves.

Looser soil amplifies shaking more than denser soil. The local soil conditions under a location can increase the felt intensity. This is why some areas experience stronger shaking.

The closer a location is to the epicenter, the stronger the shaking. The epicenter was four miles south of Ojai. The shaking was felt in nearby cities.

Magnitude is a measure of the energy released. The magnitude‑3.4 quake released moderate energy. The magnitude‑1.3 and 2.2 quakes released less energy.

Key Takeaways

• A 3.4‑magnitude earthquake struck Ventura County at 7:06 a.m. Tuesday.
• Smaller quakes of magnitude 1.3 and 2.2 followed in the same region.
• The shaking was felt in Ojai, Ventura, Carpinteria, Santa Barbara and other coastal locations.

The event was noted by residents across the region.