California Earthquake Aftermath: Aftershocks Continue to Rise

The Major Quake and Its Impact

On July 4, 2019, just before midnight Pacific Daylight Time, an earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck northeast of Ridgecrest, California. It was the largest earthquake to hit the state since the 1994 Northridge earthquake and the biggest in Kern County since the devastating 1952 earthquake.

Continuing Aftershocks

In the hours and days following the main quake, hundreds of aftershocks have occurred, many of them measuring above magnitude 4.0. These aftershocks have caused additional damage to buildings and infrastructure, and have raised concerns about the potential for further large earthquakes.

Scientists say it is too early to tell how long the aftershock sequence will last, but they warn that it could continue for weeks or even months. They also note that the ongoing activity is a reminder of the seismic risks that California faces.