15 quakes in 30 minutes shake terrified people awake as earthquake rocks region

12 February 2024 , 08:51

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Map shows where the epicentre of the quake hit

A series of earthquakes including one with a 4.8 Magnitude has rocked South West US near the border between California and Mexico leaving people's houses shaking.

Residents reported decorations falling from the walls and breaking as the quake was felt across the area. According to United States Geological Survey (USGS) 15 earthquakes have so far hit in the space of an hour. People from as far as San Diego to Yuma, Arizona, reported feeling the earth shake.

The earthquake was assessed as 4.8 on the Earthquake Magnitude Scale. According to Michigan Tech, around 500,000 earthquakes of this scale happen accross the world each year. Describing quakes from 2.5 to 5.4 on the scale, their website reads: "Often felt, but only causes minor damage."

One resident living in the region reported: "Earthquake swarms just as I was about to go to bed. strong enough for things to fall and break. sadly, a few broken decorations."

Another reported: "A huge earthquake woke me up now im [sic] scared"

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USGS map shows the massive area the earthquake affected

Some people reported feeling multiple tremors. The series of quakes started at 8.36am UTC (12.30am local time) and carried on until 9.30am UTC. The USGS reported around 15 measurable quakes during this time.

Aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that occur in the same general area during the period following a larger event or "mainshock."

Others were less impressed. One person living nearby said: "Nothing like 2 ShakeAlerts within minutes of each other to give a late night fright. The amount of earthquakes we've been getting in socal is starting to get a bit ridiculous."

El Centro is around 180km from San Diego, where the earthquake was felt.

Although the residents of El Centro are used to the frequent earthquakes that wrack the area, it's nothing compared to the residents of Parkfield, California. The small town, 400 miles to El Centro's North West, has been dubbed the Earthquake Capital of the World. It also has the San Andreas fault running straight through it.

The last deadly earthquake to hit California was in the state's northern Humbolt County. On December 20, 2022, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the town of Ferndale leading to two people's deaths. Both of these deaths were connected to medical emergencies as overstretched emergency services couldn't reach them in time.

In 1994, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit Northridge near Los Angeles. The quake devastated the area leading to many deaths. The official death toll stands at 57 with around another 8,700 injured.

Charlie Jones