The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that a 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck Kern County in Southern California on Tuesday night, with the epicentre in Lamont, California, which is not far from Bakersfield. 58 aftershocks that occurred Wednesday morning.
The epicentre is situated in Kern County, 18 miles southeast of Bakersfield, according to data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Additionally, the locations of at least 58 subsequent aftershocks are disclosed.
Magnitude 4.5, 4.1, and 4.0 were the most potent of these aftershocks. The remaining magnitudes were less than 4.
Earthquake aftershocks are smaller earthquakes that occur in the same general location in the days following a larger earthquake.
They are an inherent component of the Earth’s crust’s adjustment process as it adjusts to the altered stress distribution resulting from the primary shock. Their frequency and magnitude typically diminish over time, with the largest aftershock typically being approximately 1 to 2 magnitude units smaller than the primary shock.
Aftershocks Common after an Earthquake
Depending on the geological conditions of the region and the magnitude of the main shock, the duration of aftershock activity can range from several days to even years.
As per the United States Geological Survey (USGS), there is a greater than 99 percent likelihood of an additional aftershock with a magnitude exceeding M3 within the next week, a 93 percent likelihood of one exceeding M4, a 25 percent likelihood of one exceeding M5, and a 3 percent likelihood of one exceeding M6.
The energy discharged during a seismic event is quantified by the magnitude of the earthquake. The magnitude scale is logarithmic, which means that each whole number increase on the scale corresponds to a tenfold increase in the measured amplitude and an approximately 31.6-fold increase in the energy released.
Indoor items may experience perceptible shaking at magnitudes ranging from 4.0 to 4.9, while buildings and other structures may sustain damage at magnitudes of 5.0 to 5.9. Quakes with a magnitude of 6.0 to 6.9 may result in significant damage in densely populated areas, while those with a magnitude of 7.0 or higher can cause severe damage over vast areas.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) initially classified the earthquake as a magnitude 5.3; however, it was subsequently downgraded to a magnitude 5.2. While the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies experienced weak tremors at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, the only locations where shaking was “moderate” or “strong” were in close proximity to the epicentre, near the Buena Vista Lake Bed, and throughout Kern County.
According to ABC7 Los Angeles, the earthquake did not result in any reported damage. However, the removal of a boulder that fell onto the southbound I-5 Freeway necessitated the closure of two lanes.
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