A powerful earthquake has occurred in southern California, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has announced. According to the media, it was felt in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
A powerful earthquake was recorded this Thursday, July 4, at 10:33 am local time (5:33 pm UTC), 12 km southwest of Searles Valley, some 240 km from Los Angeles, said the Institute of Studies Geological Survey of the United States (USGS).
[USGS] M6.6 Jul-04 17:37:51 UTC, 12km SW of Searles Valley, CA, Depth:8.68km, https://t.co/JTSnI0kwjS #quake pic.twitter.com/TcpQ2WmzDX
— Earthquakes (@earthquakesApp) July 4, 2019
The USGS, which initially estimated the magnitude of the earthquake at 6.6, then revised it down to 6.4.
#EARTHQUAKE: Did you feel it!? The lights were shaking in our studio. @KSEE24 prelim M6.6 according to @USGSBigQuakes pic.twitter.com/OnIh7aAjr4
— Fabiola Ramirez (@FabRamirezTV) July 4, 2019
The tremors, which lasted about 30 seconds, were felt throughout southern California, including Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Nevada, according to media reports.
6.6 earthquake just hit the LA area. pic.twitter.com/zCuoVgiMPx
— Ryan Field (@RyanFieldABC) July 4, 2019
According to the USGS, the earthquake center was 8.7 km deep at Searles Valley in the Mojave Desert, a sparsely populated area.
The epicenter was located on the territory of Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, a naval research center for naval aviation dependent on the US Navy, says the KTLA television channel based in Los Angeles. According to media reports, China Lake specializes in the design of missiles, rockets and bombs.
Shortly after the earthquake, aftershocks of magnitude 4.7, 4.2, 3.8 and 3.5 hit the same area, the USGS reported.
Breaking: Magnitude 6.6 earthquake hits Southern California. pic.twitter.com/mqhTktsSRB
— Rhonda Ballance (@rpballance) July 4, 2019
The magnitude 6.4 earthquake was preceded by a quake of magnitude 4.2, which occurred thirty minutes earlier, according to seismologist Lucy Jones.
Commenting on the situation in California, President Trump announced on Twitter that the situation was “under control” after the earthquake.
Been fully briefed on earthquake in Southern California. All seems to be very much under control!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 4, 2019