Friday, August 15, 2025

Earthquake swarm rocks California with shaking in Los Angeles


Earthquake swarm rocks California with shaking in Los Angeles



Southern California has experienced three earthquakes in less than 12 hours, with two hitting about 10 minutes apart.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) detected the first at 4am ET and the others hit at about eight hours later, with the largest measuring a 3.3 magnitude.

While the weaker tremors measured a 2.7 magnitude, scientists noted the activity was strong enough to be felt by humans. No injuries or damages have been reported.


'Southern California's high level of seismic activity is a result of tectonic motion, which causes the northward progress of the Pacific plate (on the west) relative to the North American plate (on the east),' the USGS shared in a statement. 

'The main plate-boundary fault is the San Andreas Fault, which stretches 745 miles from the Salton Sea in the south to offshore Cape Mendocino in the north.' 

The USGS has received shaking reports from hundreds of locals in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino areas. 

Friday's swarm comes a day after Northern California was rattled by multiple earthquakes

The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported six tremors ranging in magnitude from 2.6 to 4.0.

The seismic activity began at 1:51am ET, when four quakes occurred within just two minutes. 

These quakes, roughly 72 miles north of San Francisco, struck near the San Andreas Fault, a massive 800-mile tectonic boundary stretching from Cape Mendocino to the Salton Sea.

Scientists have said that this fault is considered overdue for a 'Big One,' a magnitude 7.8 earthquake or higher, making the recent activity closely monitored.

The Maacama Fault, running north of Santa Rosa up to Ukiah, experienced a 3.9 magnitude quake.

This parallel fault system adds complexity to the region's seismic activity, with experts suggesting the events may be part of a swarm or aftershock sequence.

And the latest tremor, a 3.6 magnitude, was detected in Southern California around 9:50am.

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