Malibu Rattled by 3.9 Magnitude Earthquake, Shaking Residents and Sparking Concerns

A magnitude 3.9 earthquake struck near Malibu at 8:17 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, 2025, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. This seismic event occurred less than a mile from Malibu and follows a recent 4.1 magnitude quake that hit the area a week earlier.

The earthquake was felt by residents in surrounding areas including Thousand Oaks, where some described the shaking as lasting about ten seconds and being “a pretty good rattle.” Reports indicated weak shaking could be felt as far south as Long Beach and as far north as Oxnard. The quake had a depth of approximately 8.9 miles.

In recent months, Southern California has experienced an increase in moderate earthquakes. In all of 2024, there were recorded seismic sequences that included at least one earthquake of magnitude 4 or stronger—totaling fifteen events—the highest annual total in over sixty years.

• The Malibu area has seen three quakes larger than magnitude 4 within the last thirteen months.
• An average of five earthquakes with magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.0 occur each year in the Greater Los Angeles area.

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department reported that while the quake rattled their Agoura station, it was not violent and no damage had been reported following this latest tremor. As residents remain alert for future seismic activity, they are encouraged to prepare for potential larger earthquakes by considering emergency preparedness resources available online.

This recent earthquake adds to a notable pattern of increased seismic activity in Southern California, prompting discussions about preparedness for future events among local communities and officials alike.