A Magnitude 3.6 Earthquake at a depth of 12.8 km occurred close to the city of Bishop in Inyo County, north California, slightly after 2.10 pm local time (slightly after 9.10 pm GMT) on Friday 6 September 2013, according to the United States Geological Survey. This is not a large quake and is unlikely to have caused any damage or injuries, though it was felt locally.
The approximate location of the 6 September 2013 Inyo 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 3.2 Earthquake in southern California, Magnitude 4.5 Earthquake off the coast of northern California, Magnitude 4.3 Earthquake hits Kern County, California, Magnitude 3.4 Earthquake in northern California and Magnitude 3.9 Earthquake in north California.
Follow Sciency Thoughts on Facebook.
