SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Cameras across Southern California captured a startling scene on Monday that shook residents and their pets as a magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck east of San Diego.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake occurred just after 10 a.m. local time, about 2.5 miles south of Julian, northeast of San Diego, at a depth of about 8 miles.
Residents in San Diego, Long Beach and Los Angeles reported feeling the shaking, and several aftershocks have been felt across the region.
In the video above, a camera overlooking Lake Otay captured about 10 seconds of shaking around 10 a.m. PT.
An indoor Ring camera in San Diego shows a living room shaking and a very startled cat in the corner.
According to USGS, the earthquake has a magnitude of 5.2 in strength. Video from a Ring camera shows shaking inside a San Diego home and a startled cat.
Southern California residents were shaken awake—literally—after a strong earthquake rattled the region, sending tremors across cities and suburbs and setting off a wave of startled reactions caught on home surveillance cameras, baby monitors, and pet cams.
The earthquake, which struck [insert location, e.g., near Riverside County] early [insert date], registered a magnitude of [insert magnitude] and was felt across a wide swath of Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange County, and parts of San Diego. While there were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries, the quake left a noticeable impact—especially among the region’s furriest residents.
Several viral videos have surfaced showing cats, dogs, and even birds reacting moments before the shaking began. In one clip from a Long Beach home, a cat perched calmly on a windowsill suddenly perks up its ears, jumps to the ground, and darts out of frame—just seconds before the room begins to sway.
In another video from a baby monitor in Anaheim, a sleeping dog jolts awake, whines, and runs to the bedroom door moments before the room visibly shakes and a picture frame tilts.
Experts say pets often detect quakes before humans due to their heightened senses. “Animals are sensitive to vibrations and sound frequencies that humans can’t perceive,” said Dr. Lisa Ramirez, a veterinary behaviorist based in Los Angeles. “Their reactions can sometimes give people a few seconds of warning.”
Home security footage widely shared on social media shows light fixtures swinging, furniture creaking, and camera views trembling as the quake rolls through. In many clips, pets’ instinctive reactions range from fleeing to freezing in place, clearly unsettled by the unexpected motion.
One widely viewed video posted on X (formerly Twitter) shows a German shepherd leaping into its owner’s lap just as the ground begins to shake, with the caption: “Earthquake buddy system activated.”
While the quake caused minimal structural damage, emergency officials took the opportunity to remind residents of the importance of earthquake preparedness.
“Southern California is earthquake country,” said Cal OES spokesperson Mark Liu. “We encourage everyone to have an emergency kit, know your evacuation routes, and secure heavy items in your home. And yes—have a plan for your pets, too.”
Seismologists continue to monitor aftershock activity, which is common after quakes of this size. Residents are encouraged to download the MyShake App for real-time alerts and updates.
As always, social media lit up with humor and solidarity. One trending post read: “My cat knew the earthquake was coming before my coffee maker did.” Another user posted a video of their parrot yelling “What was THAT?!” seconds after the tremor hit.
It’s a reminder that while earthquakes can be unsettling, sometimes a little humor—and a loyal pet—can help shake off the nerves.
It’s unknown at this time if any damage or injuries have been reported.