County’s Office of Emergency Services Issues Earthquake Alert, Given the 50+ Quakes Near Salton Sea; Possibility of 7.0 Magnitude Tremor on San Andreas Fault

A sequence of more than 50 small earthquakes have shaken an area near the Salton Sea (in Southern California) since yesterday morning, and scientists have expressed concern that these earthquakes could trigger a larger earthquake on the southern section of the San Andreas Fault. According to the San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services, state and local agencies are monitoring the situation and urging the public to be earthquake prepared. The California Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council believes there is a 1% to 5% chance of a large earthquake of a 7.0 magnitude or greater occuring on the San Andreas Fault over the next few days; however, as each days passes, the risk of a large earthquake on the San Andreas Fault decreases. The County’s OES office advises that all households have an emergency supplies kit, a family disaster plan, and a supply of food and water for at least three days. For more information on disaster preparedness, visit sbcfire.org/oes.