4.9-magnitude earthquake jolts California’s Mojave Desert, seismologists say
A 4.9-magnitude earthquake rattled the Mojave Desert in California, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.
The nearly 5-mile deep quake hit about 15 miles east of Barstow at 1 p.m. on Monday, July 29, according to the USGS.
More than 3,000 people from as far away as northwestern Arizona and Las Vegas reported feeling the tremor to the agency.
“We are aware of a magnitude 4.9 earthquake that took place 13 miles from Barstow (~120 mi from Long Beach) just a few minutes ago,” Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “As of now, there have been no reports of damage or impacts to our city.”
“Yes, it was an earthquake,” seismologist Lucy Jones said on X. “An M4.9 (current estimate) east of Barstow. We have seen quakes this size many times in the Mojave Desert.”
The area is near the Calico fault, “which crosses the Mojave,” Jones said. “It is more than 50 km from the San Andreas fault, so it will not change the probability of a San Andreas earthquake.”
Two more earthquakes — a 3.5-magnitude tremor and a 2.7-magnitude one — were reported in the same area within five minutes of the initial quake, according to USGS.
Barstow has a population of about 25,000 and is in San Bernardino County in the Mojave Desert of Southern California.
What to know about earthquakes
Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey says. It replaces the old Richter scale.
Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt but rarely cause much damage, according to Michigan Tech. Quakes below 2.5 magnitude are seldom felt by most people.
Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. They can happen anywhere, but they’re most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
If an earthquake strikes, it’s best to protect yourself right away. Here are tips from experts:
If you’re in a car: Pull over and stop. Set your parking brake.
If you’re in bed: Turn face-down and cover your head with a pillow.
If you’re outdoors: Stay away from buildings. Don’t go inside.
If you’re inside: Stay and don’t run outdoors. Stay away from doorways.
The best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to drop, cover and hold on, officials say.
“Wherever you are, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy,” officials say. “If you’re using a wheelchair or walker with a seat, make sure your wheels are locked and remain seated until the shaking stops.”
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.
Once under a table, officials say you should hold on with one hand and be ready to move with it.
“There can be serious hazards after an earthquake, such as damage to the building, leaking gas and water lines, or downed power lines,” officials say. “Expect aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be ready to Drop, Cover, and Hold On if you feel an aftershock.”
