COMPTON, Calif. A magnitude 3.1 earthquake shook parts of southern Los Angeles County Thursday afternoon, with residents across several communities reporting noticeable shaking.
The earthquake struck at approximately 1:32 p.m. on September 17, 2026, according to information reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter was located about 2.5 miles south southeast of Compton, with the earthquake occurring at a depth of approximately 8.2 miles.
Residents reported feeling the earthquake in Compton, South Gate, Bellflower, Long Beach and other communities across the southern portion of Los Angeles County. NBC Los Angeles reported that shaking was felt throughout several nearby cities, although the relatively small magnitude limited the intensity experienced across the region.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or significant structural damage following the earthquake. Authorities and earthquake monitoring agencies continued reviewing information from the event Thursday afternoon.
The earthquake comes shortly after another small earthquake was recorded in the same general area. Earlier this month, a magnitude 3.2 earthquake struck approximately two miles southeast of Compton. That earthquake occurred shortly after midnight and was also recorded at a depth of nearly eight miles. No injuries or damage were reported in connection with that event.
Southern California experiences thousands of earthquakes each year, although most are too small to be felt. Earthquakes in the magnitude 3 range can often produce brief shaking for residents located near the epicenter without causing significant damage.
Thursday’s earthquake once again served as a noticeable reminder of Southern California’s active seismic landscape. For residents near Compton and surrounding communities, the movement was brief but strong enough to prompt reports across the region and quickly attract attention online.
Earthquake information can also change as scientists review seismic data, meaning preliminary measurements such as magnitude, location and depth may occasionally be adjusted after an event.
As of Thursday evening, officials had not announced any significant damage or injuries connected with the earthquake.
SoCal Newspaper will continue following developments across Los Angeles County and Southern California as additional information becomes available.
