Key Takeaways:
– Southern California was hit by a magnitude 4 earthquake early Sunday morning.
– This was the most powerful quake in a series reported near Ontario International Airport in past weeks.
– Moderate shaking was experienced near the epicenter, with mild tremors covering larger areas in San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties.
– The USGS’s ShakeAlert system activated during the earthquake.
– Residents in the affected areas can prepare for subsequent quakes by downloading the free earthquake early warning app, ShakeAlert.
Southern California Awakens to Earthquake
On an early Sunday morning, Southern California woke up to a magnitude 4 earthquake. The unexpected event jolted the residents of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, as well as the major parts of Los Angeles and Orange counties, and partial regions of San Diego County. The severity of shaking varied from moderate, strong enough to stir awake many people, to weak or light, depending on the proximity to the epicenter.
Epicenter Location near Ontario International Airport
The Ontario area has been receiving a peculiar number of seismic activities, with spontaneous quakes of magnitude 3 or higher reported since early September. This recent upheaval was marked as the fifth of its kind. The epicenter of the quake was pinpointed as approximately one-third of a mile southeast to the intersection of the 60 Freeway and Archibald Avenue around Ontario International Airport. This also falls about 500 feet south of Mountain View Elementary School and half a mile east of the Whispering Lakes Golf Course. Reports from as far as Palmdale to San Diego flooded in with people describing their experiences of the tremor.
ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System Activated
The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system was spontaneously triggered during the event. The system works to provide warnings ahead of any significant shaking, and thereby, gives people time to secure themselves and their surroundings. The free early warning app ShakeAlert can be fetched at myshake.berkeley.edu for quick alert services.
Light Tremors Created Public Alert
The strongest shake preceding this one occurred on September 7. With a magnitude of 3.9, the quake induced ‘light’ shakes, which were sufficiently strong to disrupt windows and dishes and significantly rock idle cars. Since this last noteworthy quake, Sunday’s shake was the most robust to have hit the fourth most populous city in San Bernardino County.
Public Response and Preparedness for Future Quakes
Various people reported experiencing the earthquake, ranging from those residing near the epicenter to those residing far off. However, the USGS requested everyone, regardless of their experience during the quake, to submit reports on their official website under ‘Did You Feel It?’ With these regular tremors and shakes being reported, people have been urged to be ready for ‘the Big One’ as soon as possible. Individuals are being trained to prepare for subsequent large-scale earthquakes by signing up for the Unshaken newsletter. The digital material provides extensive advice on earthquake kits and essential apps one should have for such unpredictable situations.
Wrapping Up
Although the recent magnitude 4 earthquake was not large-scale, it served as a wake-up call, reminding people to stay alert and prepared for potential seismic activities. As Southern California braces itself for possible future hits, the digital world is doing its part by releasing user-friendly apps and newsletters to educate and prepare individuals for the inevitability of a bigger earthquake.