Is the 'big one' happening soon? Some say it is as heightened alert was issued in areas near the San Andreas Fault.
Reports saying that an imminent earthquake from the San Andreas Fault will occur that is why a heightened alert was issued. The alert was issued after 142 temblors were recorded starting Monday, Sept. 26 near Bombay Beach. The potential earthquake could be 1.4 to 4.3 magnitude based on the reading by the U.S. Geological Survey. While scientists estimate a 7.0 or even higher magnitude on the San Andreas Fault line.
Officials say that residents of Southern California should remain alert and vigilant until Oct. 4 due to an imminent threat of an earthquake. The Governor's Office of Emergency Services issued the warning after earth movements were recorded under the Salton Sea, located within the San Andreas Fault line.
Typically, these warnings are only issued once or twice every year, according to the deputy director of crisis communications for the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, Kelly Huston. The chance of the earthquake hitting the area is as high as "1 in 100" and as low as 1 in 3,000. The projected heightened alert will last until Oct. 4, Tuesday. But despite not experiencing the projected earthquake until today, residents remain alert as the big one may hit anytime.
History may suggest that devastating earthquakes from the San Andreas Fault usually occur every 300 years. "There is significant stress stored on the southern end," geophysicist from USGS Morgan Page said in an interview with Bloomberg.
To enable quick response, relocation and warning system Gov. Jerry Brown and the authorities signed a formal law to enable statewide warning system that will benefit the residents of California. The system uses hand phones, radios, and other devices to disseminate alert and information.
The authorities added that, given the imminent danger that the fault line poses, everyone, especially those living near San Andreas should remain vigilant at all times with heightened alert warning and even without.