7.1-magnitude earthquake jolts Southern California
California (QNN)- A 7.1 magnitude earthquake rocked Southern California late Friday, a day after the region was rocked by powerful quakes that ignited fires and sent terrified residents out on the streets, raising concerns about even more powerful jolts.
The latest earthquake Friday struck 11 miles northeast of Ridgecrest, according to the US Geological Survey. It was 10 times stronger than Thursday’s 6.4 -magnitude earthquake, also centered near Ridgecrest, a seismologist said.
In Ridgecrest, multiple fires broke out Friday and injuries were reported, CNN quoted Kern County spokeswoman Megan Person. The county has activated an emergency operations center, and nearly 2,000 people are without power, officials said.
The latest tremblor centered 11 miles from Ridgecrest, California, a Mojave Desert town 150 miles away from Los Angeles. It was felt in downtown Los Angeles as a rolling motion that seemed to last at least a half-minute.
The quake was also felt as far away as Las Vegas, and as far south as Mexico, according to the Associated Press.
Kern County fire officials said in an evening news conference on July 5 they had they had no reports of major gas leaks but 1,800 people were without power. They said Highway 178 through the canyon is closed. “We have a lot of people who are here to help, and we’re taking action,” said Kern County California Fire Chief David Witt.
