A quiet Saturday morning in Southern California turned shaky as the region experienced two back-to-back earthquakes.
These tremors, occurring less than 30 minutes apart, were felt by millions across the area, serving as a reminder of the state’s seismic activity.
The First Quake Strikes
At 10:05 a.m. local time, the first earthquake, registering 3.5 on the Richter scale, struck.
Its epicenter was located 4.3 miles southeast of Ontario, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
While not a major quake, it certainly caught the attention of residents.
A Second, Stronger Quake Follows
Just 29 minutes later, a stronger 3.9 magnitude earthquake rattled the same region, with an epicenter almost identical to the first.
Although these quakes were felt far and wide, there have been no reports of injuries or significant damage at this point.
Californians as far as 119 kilometers from the epicenter reported feeling the tremors.
An Earthquake-Prone Region
Southern California is no stranger to earthquakes.
While quakes of around three magnitudes are common, 2024 has seen an unusual spike in seismic activity.
In fact, this year has experienced more mini-quakes than any other year since 1988.
Geophysicists Issue Warnings
With this increase in tremors, geophysicists are raising alarms about the possibility of a much larger earthquake.
Dr. Lucy Jones, a Caltech geophysicist, shared concerns with reporters, stating that the state might be at risk of a generation-defining earthquake.
“2024 has had more earthquakes than any year we’ve seen since 1988,” Dr. Jones noted.
“We should expect this trend to continue.”
The Threat of ‘The Big One’
Experts believe that Southern California is overdue for a major quake, typically defined as a magnitude 7.0 or higher.
Such an event could have devastating consequences, potentially causing at least 1,800 deaths, injuring 50,000 people, and resulting in over $200 billion in damage.
Misconceptions About Smaller Quakes
Dr. Jones also dispelled a common myth that smaller earthquakes relieve tension in the Earth’s crust, reducing the likelihood of a bigger one.
She explained that the opposite is true.
“If your rate of magnitude fours goes up, your chance of having a bigger one increases by the same amount,” she explained during an interview with KTLA 5 Morning News.
Looking Ahead
Concerns are growing that California could be hit by the ‘Big One’ within the next decade.
Researchers believe the San Andreas Fault Line, which tends to rupture every 150 years, could be nearing another major event.
If such a quake occurs, Jonathan Stewart from UCLA warns that the shaking could reach urban areas in a matter of seconds.
The question remains: what’s next for Southern California as it continues to navigate its seismic challenges?
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