Pair of earthquakes hit Southern California less than a minute apart, experts say
Back-to-back earthquakes hit the Southern California area less than a minute apart Monday, July 28, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.
Each earthquake was about 7 miles deep and hit a little more than 3 miles north of Cabazon in Riverside County, the agency reported.
The first, a 3.0-magnitude quake, shook slightly after 11:28 a.m., and the second, a 3.1-magnitude quake, followed 34 seconds later, the agency reported.
About 40 people from as far away as Calexico and Victorville reported feeling the first tremor to the agency, while 30 from as far away as Palm Desert and Desert Hot Springs reported feeling the second as of about 1:20 p.m.
Cabazon is about a 90-mile drive east from Los Angeles.
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.”
