Fears Mount Over San Andreas Fault After Fourth California Earthquake in 24 Hours
California residents are on edge as a fourth earthquake strikes the state within just 24 hours, adding to growing concerns about the San Andreas fault. The latest tremor, a Magnitude 2.6 quake, hit 28 km south-southwest of Los Banos, following a series of powerful aftershocks that rattled the region, including San Bernardino, Riverside, Victorville, and Hesperia.
The sequence of seismic activity began on Monday morning, with a Magnitude 3.5 quake occurring at 9:44 a.m., followed by a second quake registering at Magnitude 3.0. Both of these earthquakes were centered on the San Andreas fault, and the second was classified as an aftershock. At 9:58 p.m. Monday night, a third earthquake hit San Bernardino, measuring 3.1 on the Richter scale at a depth of 5.1 miles.
The US Geological Survey has been monitoring the events, while the Southern California Seismic Network issued a warning, advising that aftershocks are likely, with the largest one expected to be around a magnitude unit smaller than the mainshock. So far, there have been no reports of significant damage.
Despite the repeated shaking, the tremors have raised concerns over a larger earthquake potentially looming. The San Andreas fault is known for producing some of California's most devastating earthquakes, and experts warn that there’s a small chance—around 5%—of a larger quake occurring, though the likelihood diminishes over time.
In San Bernardino, residents felt the tremors from the first earthquake, and the area is surrounded by numerous fault lines, including the Arrowhead, Waterman Canyon, San Jacinto, Santa Ana, Cleghorn, and Tunnel Ridge faults. These active fault lines have a history of generating frequent earthquakes.
To stay informed and prepared, residents are encouraged to download the MyShake App to receive earthquake warnings and adjust phone settings for emergency alerts. The San Andreas fault, which stretches nearly 800 miles through California, remains one of the most dangerous in the state due to its vast length and the destructive potential of its quakes.
