Updated 10:25 a.m. 7/5/19
The ground keeps shaking in Southern California. A magnitude 5.4 aftershock hit just after 4 a.m. today near the town of Ridgecrest. That's near the center of the powerful 6.4 quake that rattled the area on the Fourth of July, the strongest earthquake to hit the region in about two decades. Experts say the ground will be moving for the next week or so, but the chances of another major quake in the area are dwindling as time goes by. The earthquakes have caused damage and several people have minor injuries.
Updated at 4:25 p.m. 7/4/19
Seismologists say it's very likely there will be another earthquake in the region of California that was hit by a strong shaker this morning. Lucy Jones with Caltech said it's almost guaranteed that there will be a quake that has a magnitude of at least four. She added that there's an 80-percent chance of a magnitude five or greater, and a 20-percent chance of a magnitude six or greater quake. She remarked that there's a nine percent chance that there will be one that's stronger than the initial six-point-four magnitude quake.
Today's earthquake was felt by millions of people across the southwestern United States. It struck near the city of Ridgecrest, which more than 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles. People as far away as Las Vegas and Sacramento reported feeling the quake. Stores near the center of the quake had products that toppled off of shelves and there was at least one house fire, but so far there are no reports of major injuries. Seismologists said today's quake isn't surprising, since there are several fault lines in the area.
Updated at 2:25 p.m. 7/4/19
Millions of people across the southwest are reporting feeling a strong earthquake that struck Southern California. The 6.4-magnitude quake occurred near Ridgecrest, which is about 120 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Close to the epicenter, products were toppled off shelves in stores, Ridgecrest emergency personnel are in action, but no injuries are being reported yet. Farther from the quake, water sloshed in swimming pools and chandeliers swung side-to-side from the tremors. The U.S. Geological Survey has received reports of people as far away as Sacramento and Las Vegas feeling the quake.
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Several aftershocks have rumbled through the area near Ridgecrest. Geologists say the quake was very strong and shallow, which means that it had the potential to be very damaging. Geophysicist Paul Caruso remarked that the aftershocks could continue for weeks, but they'll lose strength as time goes on.
People around Los Angeles County are being urged to avoid calling 9-1-1 unless it's an absolute emergency. The Los Angeles Fire Department tweeted the message saying its experiencing an influx of calls to its emergency system following a large earthquake. Fire officials say they're aware of the situation and say do not call 9-1-1 unless there are injuries or other dangerous threats. The magnitude 6.4 quake hit just after 10:30 this morning in Ridgecrest, about 150 miles east of Los Angeles. The tremor was felt all throughout Southern California.
People are being evacuated from Ridgecrest Regional Hospital in Kern County, California, following today's strong earthquake. There are unconfirmed reports of structural damage at the facility. The 6.4-magnitude quake in Ridgecrest was felt as far away as Las Vegas and Sacramento, and the area is still dealing with multiple aftershocks. So far, there are no reports of injuries.
All is clear at Los Angeles International Airport following this morning's large earthquake. Airport officials say all of the runways have been inspected with no reported damage to the airfield. Operations are expected to run as normal as teams keep a close eye on the runways and terminals.