5.0 Earthquake in Los Angeles at 8:39 Pm PST 5/17/09

I've felt all of the recent Cali earthquakes until this one. Didn't feel a thing.

Originally posted by Tadarida

In California a 5.0 isn't bad due to the strict building codes, so most structures will be perfectly fine.

In other places a 5.0 will bring down buildings - it really depends on what type of building codes are enforced.

Exactly.

A 5.0 here in Japan is barely noticed by most people. I've slept through a handful of them. If you're on the top floor of a tall building, you'll notice it more, but it's not worth more than a mention in the earthquake report in the Saturday paper. We don't tend to get damage reports until the high 6's or low 7s.

A 5.0 in Toronto, on the other hand - that'd be catastrophic damage. Bricks and earthquakes don't mix.

USGS changed it from a 5.0 to a 4.7. There was no major damage reported. I will say it was a shaky one!!

USGS earthquake