Experts weigh in on earthquake swarm near Salton Sea

Dr. Nancy Moll said she was one of many who heard about the earthquake swarm near the Salton Sea. Since around 4:30 a.m. Monday, there have been nearly 100 earthquakes in Bombay Beach alone. Experts with the U.S. Geological Survey said at least 36 of those were a 2.5 magnitude or higher. Moll said the area located near fault lines is no stranger to shaking. “The tectonics get very complicated in that area,” Moll said. “You’re at or near the southeast terminus, the end of the San Andreas fault. And then you’re going into the types of faults and tectonics which we see in the Sea of Cortez. There’s probably some magnetic depth. With about half a dozen volcanoes located near the Salton Sea, Moll said other than normal seismic activity, volcanic activity or activity from a nearby geothermal plant could’ve caused the quakes. But whatever the cause may be, moll says no one should be shook up by the recent swarm. “I know there have been at least three of these swarms since i’ve been here, and that’s been 14 years,” Moll said. “So it’s not like they happen every week. But on the other hand, every couple of years, it’s not at all surprising.” Moll said the Brawley Seismic Zone where Bombay Beach is located is mostly known creating magnitude 2 and 3 earthquakes. She said this type of activity could last for up to a week, but most likely will not produce anything earthquakes measuring more than a magnitude 5.