California is no stranger to earthquakes and a magnitude 3.
7 one is normally not one to get much notice. But the fact that southern Los Angeles got rattled by light tremors on April 22, on the early hours of Earth Day, seemed to be quite symbolic especially with the world in the grips of the coronavirus pandemic.
The US Geological Survey announced that the quake occurred in an area near Windsor Hills and Baldwin Hills at 12:03 a.m. local time and that minimal shaking was felt along the Los Angeles Basin.
A tweet from the Los Angeles International Airport reported that the earthquake was felt but that no injuries or damage were reported.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the epicenter was located bout half a mile southeast of Slauson and La Brea avenues.
The L.A. Fire Department had been “activated to conduct its routine survey of the city to assess for any damages,” according to a tweet from Mayor Eric Garcetti early Wednesday.
It was the first few minutes into the worldwide celebration of Earth Day when the earthquake struck.
The environmental movement started on April 22, 1970, and has resulted in policy changes and more awareness of the environment for the past 50 years.
The timing of the earthquake was not lost on social media users who noted the irony of it striking during the environmental holiday of all days.
“You’re telling me the earthquake busted in mere minutes after it becoming earth day?? An icon,” Chrissy Teigen wrote.
Music producer Scott Vener added, “Of course we have an Earthquake 5 mins into Earth Day. You think she aint got a message for us!”
Another user chimed in, “Of course 2020 is the year that we have an earth day earthquake. Why not add that to the list #laearthquake.”
Whatever the message is, it serves as a reminder that humanity and the Earth as a whole are indelibly connected.
Replaced!