Moderate quake hits Southern California

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., Jan. 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Geological Survey and the Southern California Earthquake Center said an earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale hit Southern California Thursday.

The USGS first reported the quake measured 5.0, but later revised that to 4.5, the Los Angeles Times said.

The quake, which struck just before 7:50 p.m. PST, was centered 1 mile south of San Bernardino, Calif., in the Merino Valley. The quake could be felt throughout much of Los Angeles and Orange counties.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or property damage.

People who lived near the epicenter told KCAL-TV Los Angeles the earthquake was loud and felt violent.

"We felt the jolt, whatever time it came in, but we haven't had any reports of damages yet," Rancho Cucamonga fire Capt. Ty Harris, told the Times.

Cal State University San Bernardino Professor Dale Sechrest told the newspaper the quake shook the area for about 15 seconds.

"Nothing fell over, nothing fell off the shelves," Sechrest said.