Earthquakes today mapped: Los Angeles, Mexico and Papua New Guinea rocked by fierce quakes
EARTHQUAKES have rocked Los Angeles, Mexico and Papua New Guinea today, reaching more than magnitude-4.0 on the Richter scale. Here are the latest maps, warnings and updates.
California earthquake: Powerful quake hits near Los Angeles
Earthquakes occur around the world on a daily basis, with the movement of tectonic plates triggering minor or major quakes each day. Some are felt more strongly than others, with placement on the infamous Ring of Fire conducive to explosive tremors. Today, quakes of magnitude-4.0 and over have struck Los Angeles, Mexico and Papua New Guinea.
Los Angeles
Residents of Los Angeles were shaken awake by a magnitude-4.2 earthquake in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The quake hit at around 4.30am PDT (12.30pm BST) with a smaller magnitude-3.3 tremor hitting shortly afterwards.
According to the US Geological Survey, the quake hit less than a mile from LA, four miles from Santa Clarita, and seven miles from Burbank.
Read More: California earthquake: Los Angeles rocked by powerful 4.2 quake
The epicentre of the earthquake was located near San Fernando Valley, with many famous faces taking to Twitter to report being shaken awake.
Queer Eye star Karamo Brown wrote: "That literally just scared me.
"My entire house was shaking and my dogs were howling before and while it was happening. I’m awake now! 2020 enough is enough!"
Actor and presenter Zac Braff said: "Not now earthquakes".
And model and presenter Tyra Banks took to Twitter to say: "Whoa! I felt that earthquake, too! Woke me up."
There has been no reports of damage or significant injuries according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Mexico
A magnitude-4.8 quake struck Mexico today, hitting 93 miles south-west of Puerto Madero.
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There are no reports of damage or injuries, with the quake occurring off the coast.
Mexico are no stranger to earthquakes, and are still reeling from a magnitude-7.4 which struck last month.
The quake hit 6.8 miles southwest of Santa María Zapotitlán in Oaxaca state, near El Coyul.
At least five people were reported to have died, and several buildings - including hospitals - faced damage.
Papua New Guinea
Also struck by a strong quake today was Papua New Guinea, with a magnitude-4.9 hitting this morning.
The strong earthquake hit at 6.48pm PGT (9.48am BST) 54 miles south west of Mendi, Papua New Guinea.
There have been no reports of damage or injuries.
All of these areas lie on the explosive Ring of Fire, which is home to many of the world's earthquakes and volcanoes.
The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped arc in the Pacific Ocean stretching 4,000 km wide.
It is historically associated with a near continuous series of oceanic trenches, volcanic arcs, and volcanic belts and plate movements.
Around 90 percent of the world's earthquakes occur along the Ring of Fire.