"Historically, the area around Mt. San Gorgonio is the only part of the southern San Andreas fault that produces smaller quakes. But the main San Andreas is not clearly defined here. At the surface, it disappears, covered by the Banning thrust fault," she wrote.
(CNN) A series of four temblors struck California in about 12 hours, two of them near the small town of Cabazon, according to the US Geological Survey.
Just before 5 a.m. (8 a.m. ET) Tuesday, two small earthquakes struck within minutes of each other, roughly 7 miles north of the Southern California city of 4,000. Cabazon is about 45 miles east of the Los Angeles suburb, Riverside.
The first quake was a 4.5 magnitude, while the second was a 3.2, the USGS reported.
Residents in San Diego, 95 miles south of the 4.5 magnitude quake, felt the "initial jolt," according to CNN affiliate KNBC
About 12 hours earlier, two more temblors hit opposite ends of the Golden State.
Read More
The earthquake was felt just before 5am west coast US time. Official reports say the earthquake was at magnitude 4.4 and 57 miles east of Riverside. The are no reports of injuries or damage to buildings at this time. But the relatively strong quake was felt in Seal Beach, Victorville, Redlands, Lancaster and other Southern California area, with residents reporting that the tremor had awoke them.
EXPRESS • GETTY California earthquake: A huge quake hit the west coast of US today
The "Did You Feel It" map for the 4.5 & 3.2 quakes north of Cabazon. So far the USGS is up to 2700+ responses from around the region. pic.twitter.com/ondtVj3zhM — David Biggar (@DavidNBCLA) May 8, 2018
Californians took to Twitter to describe the earthquake. General Organa wrote: “Goooood morning Southern California, what an unpleasant wake up call”. Jeanne Deplorable added: “We just had an earthquake in San Bernardino. I don't know where it originated but it shook the whole house.” The account Aircraft Spots said: “Wow! Very large earthquake just now in Riverside, Southern California. Shook me awake and was very loud and knocked a few things down. Haven't felt one that big in a while”.
GETTY The earthquake struck Cabazon
However, some were worried that this earthquake could be a precursor to the Big One, which will at some point devastate California. Twitter user Mr Kleptonioc wrote: “Earthquake in #California small but I felt that they keep saying we overdue for that big one”. California sits on top of the North American and Pacific tectonic plates and the San Andreas fault runs through it. For decades, residents of the southwestern state and scientists have been concerned a huge earthquake, known as the Big One, is on its way.
GETTY The San Andreas fault runs through California
Richard Aster, Professor of Geophysics at Colorado State University wrote recently for the Conversation: “The earthquake situation in California is actually more dire than people who aren't seismologists like myself may realise. “Although many Californians can recount experiencing an earthquake, most have never personally experienced a strong one. “For major events, with magnitudes of seven or greater, California is actually in an earthquake drought.” The last time there was a magnitude seven quake or higher in California was in 1906 which struck San Francisco and ultimately killed around 3,000 people. But Prof Aster says the damage this time could be much worse.
Most dangerous earthquake hotspots Wed, January 25, 2017 7 Countries where you’re most likely to get struck by an earthquake. Play slideshow Express 1 of 8 7 deadly earthquake hotspots
A 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck near Palm Springs this morning and could be felt as far away as Los Angeles.The quake struck at 4:49 a.m. There is no word yet on any injuries or damage.A 3.2 magnitude aftershock struck minutes after the quake in the region.
