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Earthquake Rocks Southern California for Second Time in 24 Hours Earthquake Rocks Southern California for Second Time in Two Days
(32 minutes later)
A 7.1-magnitude earthquake rattled Southern California on Friday night, one day after the strongest recorded quake in 20 years hit that part of the state — and seismologists warned that further episodes are expected. SAN FRANCISCO — A 7.1-magnitude earthquake rattled Southern California on Friday night, one day after the strongest recorded quake there in 20 years struck — and seismologists warned that further episodes are expected.
The United States Geological Survey reported that the latest earthquake’s epicenter was 11 miles from Ridgecrest, Calif., near where a 6.4-magnitude quake had struck about 36 hours earlier. Since that earthquake, the area has been hit by a series of rolling aftershocks, including one of 5.4-magnitude that roused Californians on Friday morning. The United States Geological Survey reported that the latest earthquake’s epicenter was 11 miles from Ridgecrest, Calif., near where a 6.4-magnitude quake had hit about 36 hours earlier. Since that earthquake, the area had been jolted by a series of rolling aftershocks, including one of a 5.4-magnitude that roused Californians on Friday morning.
“This is an earthquake sequence,” Lucy Jones, a seismologist, said during a briefing Friday night. “It is clearly an energetic system.” “Hold on, it’s going again,” Jade Alexander, the manager of the Rodeway Inn & Suites in Ridgecrest, said in a phone interview following another aftershock on Friday night. She said they were coming every five minutes.
“It’s constant,” said Ms. Alexander, whose hotel in Ridgecrest is less than a five-minute drive from the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. “My anxiety level is over the limit.”
Bookshelves, lockers and televisions were thrown to the ground, she said. “The floor is cracked.”
Lucy Jones, a seismologist, said during a Friday night briefing by the United States Geological survey that there would be more aftershocks. “It is clearly an energetic system,” she said.
Leena Panchal, a manager of Americas Best Value Inn & Suites, another hotel in Ridgecrest, about 150 miles northeast of Los Angeles, said people rushed outside because they felt unsafe being indoors.
“It was so bad,” she said of Friday’s earthquake and its aftershocks. “I am scared. I have two children and no one is taking care of us.”
Ms. Panchal was seated during the earthquake but said that the shaking was so violent, it would have been impossible to stand up. “It was very strong,” she said. “I’m still feeling dizzy.” Standing lamps were thrown to the ground.
The electricity was cut during the earthquake but came back on afterward, Ms. Panchal said.
At 8:21 p.m. local time, the Los Angeles Fire Department issued an earthquake alert from its Twitter account.At 8:21 p.m. local time, the Los Angeles Fire Department issued an earthquake alert from its Twitter account.
“Prepare For Aftershocks,” the tweet said. “When Shaking Starts: DROP, COVER, HOLD ON!”“Prepare For Aftershocks,” the tweet said. “When Shaking Starts: DROP, COVER, HOLD ON!”
In Los Angeles, fire officials reported localized power outages and wires down in several city neighborhoods, but said that no major damage to infrastructure had been identified.In Los Angeles, fire officials reported localized power outages and wires down in several city neighborhoods, but said that no major damage to infrastructure had been identified.
In Ridgecrest, about 150 miles northeast of Los Angeles, residents noted how powerful the earthquake was.
Leena Panchal, a manager of Americas Best Value Inn & Suites, a hotel in Ridgecrest, said people rushed outside because they felt unsafe being indoors.
“It was so bad,” she said of Friday’s earthquake and its aftershocks. “I am scared. I have two children and no one is taking care of us.”
Ms. Panchal was seated during the earthquake but said that the shaking was so violent it would have been impossible to stand up. “It was very strong,” she said. “I’m still feeling dizzy.” Standing lamps were thrown to the ground.
The electricity was cut during the earthquake but came back on afterward, Ms. Panchal said.
In San Bernardino County, fire officials said that there was more damage from the Friday night earthquake than there was from the one the day before. The officials reported that homes had been shifted, foundations had been cracked and retaining walls had collapsed.In San Bernardino County, fire officials said that there was more damage from the Friday night earthquake than there was from the one the day before. The officials reported that homes had been shifted, foundations had been cracked and retaining walls had collapsed.
Tom Heaton, an earthquake expert at the California Institute of Technology, said the earthquake Friday night appeared to have taken place northwest of Thursday’s earthquake. He estimated the magnitude at around 7 but said a final calculation would be made later. The rupture was about 10 to 15 miles long, and the duration of the earthquake was around 7 seconds. Friday’s earthquake, which occurred at about 8:20 p.m. local time, was much larger than Thursday’s; the total energy released was about eight times greater. Tom Heaton, an earthquake expert at the California Institute of Technology, said the earthquake Friday night appeared to have taken place northwest of Thursday’s earthquake. He estimated the magnitude at around 7 but said a final calculation would be made later. The rupture was about 10 to 15 miles long, and the duration of the earthquake was around seven seconds. Friday’s earthquake, which occurred at about 8:20 p.m. local time, was much larger than Thursday’s; the total energy released was about eight times greater.
For now the earthquakes appear to be localized. There is “no plausible connection” between these earthquakes and the San Andreas, the larger and potentially more destructive fault that runs from the Gulf of California to well north of San Francisco, Dr. Heaton said.For now the earthquakes appear to be localized. There is “no plausible connection” between these earthquakes and the San Andreas, the larger and potentially more destructive fault that runs from the Gulf of California to well north of San Francisco, Dr. Heaton said.
“But in this business I don’t like to ever say things can never happen,” Dr. Heaton said.“But in this business I don’t like to ever say things can never happen,” Dr. Heaton said.
The region where both Thursday’s and Friday’s earthquakes struck is characterized by a complex set of faults that have helped form geological features called basin and ranges. The region where both Thursday’s and Friday’s earthquakes struck is characterized by a complex set of faults that have helped form geological features called basins and ranges.
“I like to tell people that earthquakes are very social in the basin and range; they don’t like being alone,” Dr. Heaton said. “I would be surprised if this thing just stopped.”“I like to tell people that earthquakes are very social in the basin and range; they don’t like being alone,” Dr. Heaton said. “I would be surprised if this thing just stopped.”
The largest known earthquake in the area occurred in 1872 and was a magnitude 8, one of the largest in California.The largest known earthquake in the area occurred in 1872 and was a magnitude 8, one of the largest in California.
Friday night’s earthquake came during the fourth inning of the Dodgers home game against the San Diego Padres in Los Angeles, where camera footage shows the stadium shaking. The game was not interrupted. But in Las Vegas, where an N.B.A. summer league game took place between the New York Knicks and the New Orleans Pelicans, the action was halted because of the quake.
Tim Dorcey of Santa Monica noticed something was amiss when the wine bottles in his home began rattling on Friday night. “That happened and I thought, ‘Oh aftershock,’” Mr. Dorcey said by phone. “And then it stopped. Fifteen seconds later it started going again. I hopped up and got away from my windows.”Tim Dorcey of Santa Monica noticed something was amiss when the wine bottles in his home began rattling on Friday night. “That happened and I thought, ‘Oh aftershock,’” Mr. Dorcey said by phone. “And then it stopped. Fifteen seconds later it started going again. I hopped up and got away from my windows.”
Mr. Dorcey said the shaking began again and went on for a minute. “It kept getting stronger and stronger,” he said.Mr. Dorcey said the shaking began again and went on for a minute. “It kept getting stronger and stronger,” he said.
Giovanna Gomez of Bakersfield said Friday’s earthquake felt like the quake that hit on Thursday.Giovanna Gomez of Bakersfield said Friday’s earthquake felt like the quake that hit on Thursday.
“I was in my living room with my parents, and all of a sudden we started feeling the earth slowly moving,” Ms. Gomez said. “And then it started getting bigger, just rocking back and forth.” She said the family promptly went outside and reported no damage and complained of dogs barking.“I was in my living room with my parents, and all of a sudden we started feeling the earth slowly moving,” Ms. Gomez said. “And then it started getting bigger, just rocking back and forth.” She said the family promptly went outside and reported no damage and complained of dogs barking.
Thomas Fuller reported from San Francisco, and Neil Vigdor and Derrick Bryson Taylor reported from New York. Scott Cacciola contributed reporting from Las Vegas.