Still need earthquake for your 2020 U.S. catastrophe bingo card? Southern California residents were reminded of the possibility late Friday as a 4.5 temblor struck the region and felt as far away as San Diego and Palm Springs.
The epicenter was located near El Monte in eastern Los Angeles County, the same vicinity as the 5.9 Whittier earthquake in 1987 that resulted in several deaths and $200 million in property damage.
The Whittier Narrows region represents part of the Puente Hills thrust fault that runs through downtown Los Angeles. Any hypothetical major earthquake in that area would likely spell disaster for central Los Angeles.