Earthquake and Aftershocks

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Southern California was rattled by a series of earthquakes near Julian on April 14, with the strongest being a magnitude 5.2 quake followed by two smaller ones. These quakes came shortly after a 3.5 tremor the previous day. Residents described the intense shaking, with some rushing outside for safety. In response, Governor Gavin Newsom’s office coordinated with local authorities, and San Diego Gas & Electric activated its emergency center to inspect potential damage. Fortunately, no injuries or major damage were reported. The earthquakes happened amid ongoing severe weather across the U.S., including deadly tornadoes in the South and Midwest that left at least 18 people dead and thousands without power.

In Mississippi, the situation was worsened by an earthquake hitting the area already affected by the tornado outbreak, making rescue efforts more difficult. Meanwhile, California experienced more seismic activity in February when four small quakes struck near Hayward, highlighting the ongoing risk along the Hayward Fault. The fault, capable of producing large earthquakes, last ruptured in 1868 with a magnitude 7.0 quake. Experts warn that it may be overdue for another major event, with the USGS estimating a 27% chance of a significant quake occurring in the next 30 years.