The sequence is decaying, and the decay rate is on the high side of average. So the probabilities of more aftershocks are dropping. In the next week, M4s are still certain, a couple of M5s are likely, but larger quakes are looking more improbable. https://t.co/1FlUWz3rl6
— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) July 7, 2019
The magnitude 7.1 earthquake was felt as far as Sacramento, Las Vegas and Mexico. About 150 miles away, in downtown Los Angeles, skyscrapers swayed for at least 30 seconds. Disneyland in Anaheim and Six Flags magic Mountain in Santa Clarita shut down their rides. RELATED: What to Do Before, During and After Earthquake Strikes Just the day before, a weaker, magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the same area in Kern County at 10:33 a.m. “For a while, Ridgecrest was known as the earthquake capital of the world cause it had so many small quakes. So, it’s not a surprise that the earthquake happened,” Hauksson said. Since the two earthquakes hit, there have been 52 seismic events greater than magnitude 4 and 340 stronger than magnitude 3, the Caltech seismologist said. Jones previously reassured the public that the seismic activity is unlikely to affect fault lines outside the area and that the massive San Andreas Fault is far away. “These earthquakes, we’re lucky in that the energy in them is mostly going to the north, away from Los Angeles,” Hauksson said. “If they were rupturing form north to south, then there would be more likelihood to have damage in say, Palmdale or other areas.” The damage has not been extensive as expected, according to Mark Ghilarducci, director of the state Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. With many in Kern County afraid to stay in their homes, some 200 people are staying at the shelter set up by the Red Cross at the Kerr McGee Center in Ridgecrest, Ghilarducci said at a news conference Saturday. It has the capacity to hold up to 500 people, according to the Red Cross. Local officials also confirmed that some people have tried to steal from businesses and homes since the earthquakes struck. Those incidents are under investigation. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has already approved an emergency proclamation for Kern and San Bernardino counties, toured the damage zone in Ridgecrest and the surrounding areas on Saturday. He has also requested a presidential emergency declaration for direct federal assistance for the communities affected by the earthquakes. “There’s no doubt in my mind, after talking to the president, that he’s committed in the long run, in the long haul, to help support the rebuilding efforts that we are,” the governor said at a news conference in Ridgecrest. Officials in Ridgecrest gave out the following contact numbers for residents:Check out this fissure near the site of last night's magnitude 7.1 earthquake outside Ridgecrest. Sky5 was overhead late this morning. Full coverage at https://t.co/UH88UcfZm0 pic.twitter.com/ykTfKCr3Ao
— KTLA (@KTLA) July 6, 2019
- Pacific Gas & Electric emergency line: 888-743-4911
- Southern California Edison: 800-655-4555
- Nonemergency, missing persons, Ridgecrest Police Department: 760-499-5100
- For damage to homes, Ridgecrest Department of Public Works: 760-499-5083
State leadership is on the ground in Kern County to assess damages and meet with local responders on the series of major shaking in the region. #Ridgcrest pic.twitter.com/kLEuJ8AZKX
— Cal OES (@Cal_OES) July 6, 2019