An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 3.9 jolted through Los Angeles, mere hours after the Academy Awards concluded on Sunday night.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake struck at 10:13 p.m. about 2 kilometers (or roughly 1.24 miles) east-southeast of North Hollywood.

The depth was said to be about 15.3 kilometers (roughly 9.5 miles).

The Los Angeles Fire Department said the earthquake was felt in downtown L.A.

“At this time, #LAFD is not entering earthquake mode,” stated the department’s X post.

Dozens of residents across the region reported feeling the quake using the USGS “Felt It” community reporting tool.

The reports show people felt it as north as Santa Clarita and as south as Anaheim.

There were no reports of injuries or damage.

Thousands of earthquakes are recorded in California yearly, but the vast majority are extremely minor. Several hundred reach a magnitude of 3.0, and only about 15 to 20 are greater than magnitude 4.0, according to the USGS.   

In North America, only Alaska records more quakes per year than California. 

What to do in an earthquake

During an earthquake, it’s crucial to know the proper steps to protect yourself and minimize injury. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) provides detailed guidelines on what to do during such events. Here are the key points:

Drop, Cover, and Hold On:

Drop: Immediately drop down onto your hands and knees. This position prevents you from being knocked over and allows you to stay low and crawl to safety if necessary.

Cover: Use one arm to protect your head and neck, and if possible, take shelter under a sturdy table or desk. If no shelter is available, get down next to an interior wall away from windows. Stay on your knees and bend over to protect vital organs.

Hold On: Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if it shifts.