1973 Point Mugu earthquake facts for kids
| UTC time | 1973-02-21 14:45:57 |
|---|---|
| ISC event | 764165 |
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | February 21, 1973 |
| Local time | 06:45:57 PST |
| Magnitude | 5.8 Mw |
| Depth | 10 km (6.2 mi) |
| Epicenter | 34°02′N 119°02′W / 34.04°N 119.03°W |
| Type | Oblique-slip |
| Areas affected | South Coast (California) United States |
| Total damage | $1,000,000 |
| Max. intensity | VII (Very strong) |
| Peak acceleration | 0.13 g |
| Casualties | Several injured |
The 1973 Point Mugu earthquake happened on February 21, 1973. It struck near Point Mugu in Ventura County, California. This earthquake was quite strong, measuring 5.8 on the moment magnitude scale. It also had a maximum Mercalli Intensity of VII, which means it was "Very Strong."
The earthquake caused some injuries and about $1 million in damage. The place where the earthquake started, called the epicenter, was close to the Oxnard Plain. This area is also near the northern part of the Santa Monica Mountains in the California South Coast region.
How Far Was the Shaking Felt?
The shaking from the 1973 Point Mugu earthquake was felt over a large area. Along the coast, people felt it from San Luis Obispo in the north all the way down to San Diego in the south. In these areas, the shaking was light.
Further inland, the earthquake was felt in places like McFarland in California's central valley. It was also felt in Cantil in the western Mojave Desert. To the southeast, people in Palm Springs also felt the ground shake.
