California has experienced multiple earthquakes within the last two minutes in an area closely monitored for a potential major quake.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) detected three tremors, ranging from magnitude 2.5 to 3.8, on Monday just after 11am local time (3pm ET).
The seismic activity occurred 21 miles north of Bakersfield, a city of over 400,000 residents, and about 80 miles from Los Angeles.The epicenter, located in Grapevine, sits directly along the San Andreas Fault, which runs beneath Interstate 5 at Tejon Pass.
According to the USGS, major earthquakes occur in this area approximately once every 100 years.
The last major event—a magnitude 7.9 quake—struck in 1857, suggesting that this segment of the San Andreas Fault may be overdue for another significant seismic event.
The USGS determined that similar earthquake today would damage aqueducts that ferry water into Southern California from the north, disrupt electric transmission lines and tear up the 5 Freeway. And shaking would be felt in central Los Angeles.
Lead author of the study, USGS research geologist Kate Scharer, told The Los Angeles Times: 'This would be more broadly felt across the basin. It would impact our ability to be a world-class city.'
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