Dozens of Earthquakes Strike the Salton Sea Area

Staff Writer

Monday, October 31st, 2016

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Earthquake swarms in late-September caused increased concern to emergency responders, as swarms created an increased probability of an earthquake.

The over 200 small earthquakes to the Salton Sea area, in September, prompted an Earthquake Advisory to Fire and Rescue personnel. Now just a month later several earthquakes have again hit the same general area again according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

With most of the small earthquakes centering in Niland, California; but some centered in nearby cities, the earthquakes in the past 24 hours have been 3.6 or smaller magnitude in size. Earthquake swarms consist of a series of earthquakes striking a general area in a short period of time. These usually small earthquakes are different from aftershocks since they do closely not follow a larger earthquake.

USGS scientists predict a larger quake since the average earthquakes have increased in size and frequency. According to the USGS, the number of earthquakes dramatically increased in recent years with only 21 earthquakes magnitude three or larger between 1973 and 2008. Between 2009 and 2013, only four years, 99 earthquakes of the same size were reported and in 2014 alone, 659 were reported.

The increased risk with both recent earthquake data coupled with swarms is a good reason to prepare if you have not already. The increased risk with swarms are minimal, but during a high-risk time, any increased risk should be noted and prepared for.