A 4.5 earthquake shook Santa Clarita early this morning.

Whites Canyon Bridge- Photos courtesy of Michael Dowler

The 4.5 earthquake struck at 12:58am on Thursday morning. It was centered 4 miles north, northwest of Chatsworth. Residents throughout Santa Clarita were awakened with the shaking. No significant damage has been reported, however the White's Canyon Bridge was closed from 1 a.m. until 10:45 this morning.

The shaking was felt throughout the southland, with calls coming in as far south as  the South Bay, Marina Del Rey and Malibu and as far west as Camarillo, Oxnard and Ventura. It was a rolling quake lasting only a few seconds. Some residents of the San Fernando Valley experienced items falling in their homes.

A 1.6 aftershock followed approximately 15 minutes later, at 1:14am. The aftershock was 2 miles north of Chatsworth.

Santa Clarita safety inspectors have checked the bridge at Soledad and White's Canyon for potential structural damage, and inspectors say all reported damage was cosmetic, not structural. City of Santa Clarita Public Information Officer, Gail Ortiz has just informed KHTS that the White's Canyon Bridge will re-open before 12:00 noon.

The damage is related to the bridge's movement during the quake, which forced a roughly three inch gap in one of the connections on the bridge.  

City inspectors have also examined other Santa Clarita bridges and overpasses for damage throughout the morning. All bridges have passed inspection and no other closures are necessary.

KHTS will keep you posted as we receive additional information.