Southern California experienced a series of seismic jolts on Saturday morning (September 7th) as two earthquakes struck in quick succession, less than half an hour apart.
The concerning seismic activity was felt throughout the area, impacting millions of residents and causing widespread concern. Unfortunately, these small earthquakes may be only the beginning of an upcoming disaster.
The First Earthquake
The first earthquake struck Southern California at 10:05 AM local time on Saturday, September 7th, 2024. Its power measured 3.5 on the Richter scale. The Richter scale measures the intensity of earthquakes.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicenter of the Earthquake was 4.3 miles southeast of Ontario. Ontario is a city in southwestern San Bernardino County, California.
The Second Earthquake
The second earthquake was even stronger: it measured at 3.9 on the Richter scale. It hit California at 10:34 AM. Its epicenter was almost in exactly the same spot.
Californians up to 74 miles (119 km) away from the epicenter near Ontario reported feeling the second tremor.
Little Damage, Large Concern
Fortunately, there have been no reports of any injuries or extensive property damage due to these two earthquakes.
While earthquakes occur with relative regularity in the region, they are rarely felt by most and typically do not surpass a magnitude of three on the Richter scale.
An Increasing Number
There has been a record number of (usually small) earthquakes across the state of California in the year of 2024.
Geophysicists are now cautioning that California might soon face the threat of an absolutely colossal earthquake. This unprecedented earthquake, along with an increasing number of relatively smaller earthquakes, could change Southern California as we know it.
Many Minor Earthquakes and Major Earthquakes
Caltech geophysicist Dr. Lucy Jones explained, “2024 has had more earthquakes than any year we’ve seen since 1988… We should expect this to continue.”
Major earthquakes are usually defined as having a magnitude of 7.0 or higher on the Richter scale. Experts believe a major earthquake in Southern California could have disastrous consequences—just one could kill at least 1,800, leave 50,000 injured, and cause more than $200 billion in damage.
A Dangerous Misconception
According to Dr. Jones, it’s a common misconception that several smaller earthquakes relieve tension in the plate tectonics underground. According to this idea, a bunch of smaller earthquakes would leave a region more calm and less prone to one devastating earthquake.
This idea is totally false. Dr. Jones warns that, actually, the exact opposite is true.
Increasing Amount of Earthquakes
“The most constant feature of earthquakes is the relative number of large to small,” Dr. Jones explained. “For every magnitude seven, you have 10 magnitude sixes, 100 magnitude fives, 1,000 magnitude fours, etc.”
“So, if your rate of [magnitude] fours goes up, your chance of having a bigger one would go up by about the same amount,” she said. Therefore, the increase of earthquakes in California—even though they are relatively small—is very concerning.
The Big One
Experts believe that the San Andreas Fault Line, located in Southern California, ruptures roughly every 150 years. There are many concerns by experts that the state will likely experience the Big One—a giant and totally devastating earthquake—within the next decade.
Jonathan Stewart—who works at the University of California, Los Angeles—said that if the Big One were to strike, “it would be a matter of a few tens of seconds before the shaking from a San Andreas event that ruptures the segments closest to Los Angeles reach our urban areas.”
In Conclusion
This recent series of earthquakes has heightened awareness about future potentially disastrous earthquakes in Southern California. Despite the relatively minor damage caused by these small quakes, the uptick in seismic activity this year highlights a growing concern among experts.
As geophysicists closely monitor California’s situation, the possibility of a major earthquake looms larger. The ongoing series of smaller earthquakes serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability and the need for continued vigilance of a potentially catastrophic Big One. There is not much that can be done to prevent a dangerous earthquake, but Californians should stay informed and be prepared. Unfortunately, the reality of Southern California life may soon be changed forever.
