Parts of California were shaken by at least 13 earthquakes in what experts are calling a short but powerful sequence of tremors. The first of the earthquakes struck at 12:36am, and the quakes continued until 1:01am. Fortunately, there have been no reports of major damage or injuries.
Authorities are attributing the cause of the earthquakes to the San Andreas Fault, which runs through California and is known to be a hotbed of seismic activity. While the quakes did not cause any serious damage, there is still concern among residents that a larger earthquake could occur in the near future. Dr. Lucy Jones, a renowned California earthquake expert, has stated that there is a 5% chance of a larger earthquake happening soon after this series of tremors. However, she also clarified that there is no evidence that these quakes are related to the 5.7 magnitude earthquake that rocked Hawaii just hours earlier.
A series of earthquakes were reported in Southern California Monday, the largest a 4.8 magnitude just before midnight, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
There have been 16 earthquakes reported near El Centro and Imperial since midnight. There were no reports of injuries… pic.twitter.com/RgcoKmHaI1
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) February 12, 2024
These earthquakes come just two days after a magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck near Malibu, California. While it was felt throughout the Los Angeles region, there were no reports of significant damage or injuries. Yet, the residents of California are on edge as they recently dealt with severe flooding caused by a powerful storm.
Eyewitness video shows flooding and mudslides damaged parts of Los Angeles, as a powerful storm system gripped Southern California. https://t.co/zUzoJ5gfsX pic.twitter.com/ox0RHRuK0u
— ABC News (@ABC) February 6, 2024
The storm, fueled by an atmospheric river, caused widespread destruction and resulted in evacuation orders in some areas. And just last week, the state experienced a record-breaking 4.1 inches of rain, causing more flooding and damage to the already saturated area.
NEW: Southern California is getting obliterated by torrential rain causing flash flood warnings.
The storm even caused a ‘Seafoam storm’ where strong winds blew foam onto people standing on the shore.
The storm was thanks to an ‘Atmospheric River’ which is “relatively long,… pic.twitter.com/k1nLGDCX0U
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 5, 2024
Friday also marks the 53rd anniversary of the 1971 San Fernando earthquake, which caused significant damage and claimed the lives of 64 people. The coincidence of these earthquakes and the anniversary of the San Fernando quake has raised concerns among residents and experts alike, further emphasizing the unpredictability of earthquakes and the need for preparedness.
Damage assessments are underway after a 4.6 magnitude earthquake rattled Southern California — the epicenter just north of Malibu. The quake comes on the heels of a 5.7 magnitude earthquake that hit the Big Island of Hawaii. @MattGutmanABC has details. https://t.co/DbYmDErRFb pic.twitter.com/m93PZ9EIp6
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) February 10, 2024
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