Magnitude 4.0 Earthquake in Mono County, California.

The United States Geological Survey recorded a Magnitude 4.0 Earthquake at a depth of 7.7 km in northern Mono County, California, slightly before 0.50 am local time (slightly before 7.50 am GMT) on Friday 30 May 2014. There are no reports of any damage or casualties associated with this event, though it was reportedly felt up to 200 km away.

The approximate location of the 30 May 2014 Mono County Earthquake. Google Maps.

California is extremely prone to Earthquakes due to the presence of the San Andreas Fault, a tectonic plate margin that effectively bisects the state. The west of California, including Santa Barbara and Los Angeles, is located on the Pacific Plate, and is moving to the northwest. The east of California, including Fresno and Bakersfield is on the North American Plate, and is moving to the southeast. The plates do not move smoothly past one-another, but constantly stick together then break apart as the pressure builds up. This has led to a network of smaller faults that criss-cross the state, so that Earthquakes can effectively occur anywhere.

Witness accounts of Earthquakes can help geologists to understand these events and the underlying structures that cause them. If you felt this quake (or if you were in the area but did not, which is also useful information) then you can report it to the United States Geological Survey here.

See also...

 Magnitude 3.8 Earthquake in Mineral County, Nevada.

The United States Geological Survey recorded a Magnitude 3.8...



 Magnitude 3.6 Earthquake in Inyo County, northern California.

A Magnitude 3.6 Earthquake at a depth of 12.8 km occurred close to...

 Northeast California shaken by Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake.

A Magnitude 5.7 Earthquake struck northeastern California on...


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