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4.7 Quake Shakes Southern Cal

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff

Posted May 18, 2009 3:29 AM CDT

(Newser) – A 4.7 magnitude earthquake rattled much of southern California last night and caused minor property damage, reports the Los Angeles Times. Windows were broken and items toppled off shelves when the temblor struck east of Los Angeles Airport. No injuries were reported. The 15-second shaker was deep, originating some 8.4 miles below the earth's surface, which "tends to make it less of a jerky, abrupt motion," said a seismologist for the US Geological Survey.

"It felt like all the windows were about to pop," said an LA resident at a casino. "It sounded like a big sonic boom. Everybody started running or ducking under the tables."

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A moderate earthquake jolted the Los Angeles region late yesterday, shattering glass, setting off alarms and fraying nerves. (AssociatedPress)

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A moderate earthquake jolted the Los Angeles region last night. (AssociatedPress)

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