This morning San Fernando valley had a real shock. An enormous earthquake, measuring 6.4 on the Richter sacle, hit Northridge, Los Angeles, at 9.30 a.m. Many buildings collapsed, and tress fell down, but amazingly there were few casualties. Rob King , a postman , was outside mending his car at he time. I didn't know what was happening.' he told me afterwards. I shouted to my brother. He was carrying a pot of tea. He dropped is as he ran outside.