LOS ANGELES – A 4.7 magnitude earthquake struck Southern California near Malibu early Thursday morning. Residents in the region reported mixed effects. Some didn’t feel the quake at all.

As people reflected on the quake that struck shortly before 7:30 a.m., Dr. Lucy Jones, a leading seismologist, provided insight into her findings during an interview with FOX 11 at a planned event in El Segundo for National Preparedness Month.

The quake, whose epicenter was five miles north of Malibu, was felt as far away as San Diego and north to the Bakersfield coast. Dr. Jones described the quake as “widely felt,” which was expected given its size. She confirmed that the region had experienced numerous aftershocks, at least two of which were above magnitude 3, and expected more shaking to occur during the afternoon.

When asked why some residents felt the quake and others didn’t, Dr. Jones said, “How far away you are is a big part of it,” but she also noted that personal activity at the time of the quake plays a significant role. “I didn’t feel anything because I was on my stationary bike, pedaling away. When you’re moving, when you’re walking, it’s very hard to feel it,” she explained. Residents on the upper floors of buildings are more likely to feel the shaking, because structures can amplify the vibrations.

The seismologist also praised the effectiveness of earthquake notification apps. “The robustness of early warning information is good,” she said, encouraging confidence in these apps as they have improved with more tools and better algorithms. However, Dr. Jones added that the increase in notifications is also due to more high-profile earthquakes happening.

In terms of earthquake preparedness, Dr. Jones emphasized the importance of taking proactive steps before an earthquake strikes. She criticized current building codes, which focus on survival rather than minimizing financial loss or ensuring that buildings remain functional after the event. She advocates for better building practices and emphasizes the long-term cost benefits.

Dr. Jones also urged individuals, businesses, and community groups to take immediate steps, such as ensuring building integrity, practicing “drop, cover, and hold on,” and creating post-quake plans that include communicating with neighbors. With the potential for an earthquake to destroy critical infrastructure, such coordinated planning is essential to a community’s resilience.

As the conversation turned to traditional earthquake response, Dr. Jones emphasized the need to develop muscle memory for safety procedures, such as the upcoming ShakeOut exercise, to ensure rapid action when a real earthquake strikes. The interview concluded with a reminder of the reality of earthquake threats and the need for preparation—an important message Dr. Jones had already planned to deliver on the same day of the Malibu quake.