The United States Geological Survey recorded a Magnitude 4.3 Earthquake at a depth of 1.9 km, in the western Mojave Desert about 40 km east of Newberry Springs in San Bernardino County, California, slightly after 7.05 pm local time on Saturday 5 October 2013 (slightly after 2.05 am on Sunday 6 October, GMT). There are no reports of any damage or injuries arising from this quake, but it was felt as far away as Los Angeles, 200 km southwest of the epicenter.
The approximate location of the 5 October 2013 San Bernardino 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 3.0 Earthquake in Orange County, California, Magnitude 2.5 Earthquake in northwest San Benito County, California, Magnitude 2.5 Earthquake on the San Diego/Riverside County boundary, southern California, Magnitude 2.8 Earthquake in San Benito County, California and Two Earthquakes in Riverside County, southern California.
Follow Sciency Thoughts on Facebook.
