Pasadena City Hall Takes Earthquake In Stride

Pasadena City Hall continued normal operations on Tuesday, one day after a 4.4 magnitude earthquake disrupted services and prompted an evacuation.

The tremor, which struck at 12:20 p.m. on Monday near the Highland Park/South Pasadena border, ruptured a water line and left one person stuck in an elevator at City Hall. 

The iconic building was evacuated until shortly after 1 p.m.

“All fixed, and elevators inspected and in working order, so it’s back to business as usual,” said Lisa Derderian, Pasadena’s public information officer, in a statement to Pasadena Now on Tuesday.

The swift recovery highlights the effectiveness of the building’s $118 million seismic retrofit, completed in 2007. The upgrade included the installation of 80 shock-absorbing base isolators designed to allow the structure to sway rather than shake during seismic events.

The City Hall’s improved seismic resilience was first tested in 2008 when a 5.2 magnitude earthquake centered in Chino Hills shook the area. 

According to the United States Geological Survey, Monday’s earthquake has been followed by half a dozen aftershocks, most registering below 2.0 on the Richter scale. The latest, a 1.0 magnitude tremor, occurred at 12:09 p.m. on Tuesday, almost exactly 24 hours after the initial quake.

The temblor serves as a reminder of the importance of earthquake preparedness, a message recently emphasized by Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo. In an op-ed published in Pasadena Now, Gordo urged residents to review and update their emergency plans and supplies.

“Being prepared can make a big difference in keeping our community safe,” Gordo wrote, following a 5.2 magnitude earthquake in Bakersfield that was felt in Pasadena.