A massive 3.7 magnitude earthquake strikes California
California has had another earthquake.The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reports that late Friday at about 11:44 p.m., an earthquake with a magnitude of 3.7 occurred in the Malibu region. According to the USGS tracker, nine earthquakes have struck California since Thursday, including the most recent one.
California experiences earthquakes often, ranging from little, undetectable tremors to large-scale natural catastrophes. There is often a chance of aftershocks after an earthquake. A magnitude 7.0 earthquake that occurred offshore close to Eureka, California, two months ago prompted evacuations because of fears of tsunamis.
According to USGS, there were no early reports of damage or casualties from the Malibu earthquake. Long Beach, Porter Ranch, Whittier, and other locations in Los Angeles County felt the tremors up to fifty miles distant. Additionally, other communities in Ventura County, including Thousand Oaks, Port Hueneme, Oxnard, Camarillo, and Simi Valley, felt it from a distance of thirty miles.
The most powerful of them was a 4.3 magnitude earthquake that occurred on February 13 at about 4:17 p.m., 6 miles north-northwest of Avenal.
Additionally, on Thursday afternoon, three earthquakes were detected in the Bay Area of California, one mile from Hayward. Two minutes separated the occurrence of two of the earthquakes. The Hayward fault line, which the USGS reports is an active fault in the San Francisco Bay area, is where all three incidents took place. Their respective magnitudes were 3.2, 3.3, and 2.6.
The USGS reports that at about 4:45 p.m. local time on Thursday afternoon, another 2.5-magnitude earthquake occurred in the Bay Area, 2 miles off Pleasant Hill.
Additionally, at around 11:40 a.m. on Thursday, a 2.9-magnitude earthquake occurred in Northern California, 10 miles west-southwest of Petrolia.
Since then, two other earthquakes have occurred in the Malibu region, including one that occurred five miles from The Geysers at around 10:20 a.m. on Friday and had a magnitude of 3.2. Five hours later, another hit two miles southwest of Anderson Springs. It was 2.7 in magnitude.
An atmospheric river, a narrow band of moisture that pulls water vapor from the tropics and often releases it as heavy rain or snow, also caused landslides in Los Angeles this week.
Large debris flows caused by heavy rains in Southern California rendered some roads in the Palisades and Mulholland Drive in Santa Monica inaccessible.
The recent wildfires that destroyed over 16,250 houses and businesses, scorched over 47,900 acres, and claimed 29 lives have left Los Angeles in ruins.
“Drop, cover, and hold on is the best way to protect yourself during an earthquake,” said USGS authorities. Get on your hands and knees and grab onto anything solid wherever you are. Make sure your wheels are secured if you’re using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, and stay seated until the shaking stops.
“After an earthquake, there may be major risks including building damage, leaky water and gas lines, or fallen electricity lines. An earthquake’s primary shock is likely to be followed by aftershocks. If you experience an aftershock, be prepared to drop, cover, and hold on.
