USGS: Recent earthquakes not a sign of “Big One”
A cluster of earthquakes shook the Coachella Valley this week, two 3.9 magnitude earthquakes were recorded, one in Sky Valley, the other near Borrego Springs.
“There’s nothing in these particular events that would suggest that we’re really due for the big one,” said Elizabeth Cochran, a seismologist with the United States Geological Service.
Several other smaller earthquakes were also recorded over the last week, one woman saying the small quakes are a good thing.
Check out our Earthquake Tracker Section for tips on staying prepared for earthquakes
“I think it releases pressure when we have some of these smaller ones uhh but we’re originally from the midwest so any earthquake is kind of alarming,” said Tammy Porter, a Palm Desert resident.
However, that may not actually be the case.
“The little ones don’t release enough stress to really relieve anything on the fault. They’re just way too small. A large earthquake releases much more energy than any smaller earthquake,” said Cochran said.
Cochran said a big one is still possible.
“We live in earthquake country right? So we always have to be aware that there’s a larger chance of an earthquake,” Cochran said.
The recent earthquakes created a lot of buzz on social media as people tried to find the exact placement and magnitude of the shaker they just felt.
“And I always go to the USGS.Gov website just to check where it was and how big it was,” said Indian Wells resident Jonathan Morris.
“You can also enter information about what you felt in the earthquake we can use that to learn how strong the shaking was across a given area,” said Cochran said.
While the small earthquakes might not mean the big one is near, but this is mother nature’s way of making sure we are always prepared.
Download the KESQ & CBS Local 2 app on iTunes or Google Play for up-to-the-minute breaking news alerts & more
More: I-Team and Stands for You investigations
Find us on Facebook: KESQ News Channel 3 & CBS Local 2
Follow us on Twitter for breaking news updates: @KESQ & @Local2
We’re on Instagram! @KESQ_News_Channel_3 & @CBSLocal2
Noticias en español: Telemundo 15
