A twelfth earthquake has struck Southern California in less than 24 hours, with geological experts issuing stark warnings that more significant tremors are highly likely to follow in the coming days.
Latest Tremor Hits Near Indio
The most recent quake, which occurred just a few miles from the city of Indio, was recorded at 11.17am ET on Tuesday. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) measured this event as a magnitude 3.0 earthquake. Indio is situated approximately 100 miles east of both Los Angeles and San Diego, placing it within a densely populated region of the state.
Seismic Swarm Origins
This ongoing seismic activity began just before 9pm ET on Monday evening, initiated by a stronger magnitude 4.9 earthquake detected in the same general area. Tuesday's minor tremor marked the eleventh noticeable aftershock to impact the region in under 16 hours, highlighting an intense period of geological unrest.
Yesterday's initial magnitude 4.9 quake reportedly caused strong shaking at its epicentre near Indio. The event was felt by thousands of residents across a wide area, extending all the way to the US coastline. It is estimated that over five million people in the Los Angeles and San Diego metropolitan areas experienced the rattling effects of the tremor.
Proximity to Major Events
Concerningly, this day-long swarm of earthquakes has been occurring just 15 miles from the site of the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. This major event, scheduled for April, typically attracts roughly 250,000 visitors to the area, raising potential safety considerations for future large gatherings.
Official Forecasts and Warnings
Officials from the USGS have provided a concerning probabilistic forecast for the region. They state there is a 98 percent chance of more earthquakes, stronger than magnitude 3.0, striking the area over the next seven days. Furthermore, there is a 39 percent probability that any such aftershocks could exceed a magnitude of 4.0.
This remains a developing news story. Further updates and details will be provided as more information becomes available from seismic monitoring stations and local authorities.
