Southern California witnesses largest earthquake in years, multiple landslides reported in Santa Cruz Island
An earthquake of magnitude 5.3 struck Southern California — its strongest earthquake in years — near the Channel Islands on Thursday. The quake, however, did not occur on land and its epicenter was located offshore in the Pacific Ocean. The tremblor resulted in landslides and some earth movement on Santa Cruz Island, which was very close to the epicenter of the quake, according to reports.
The director of the Southern California Earthquake Center at USC, John Vidale, said: "A 5.3 could be damaging if it was right under our feet. It's right on the edge of being an earthquake that could be dangerous. It's a reminder that we need to be ready in the future."
Reports state that the incident occurred just before 12:30 pm and was centered south of Santa Cruz Island, which is about 90 miles west of downtown Los Angeles. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said that the tremors of the quake were felt as far away as Bakersfield, Palmdale and the city of Orange.
Vidale told the Los Angeles Times that there is one-in-twenty chance that the quake on Thursday could lead to a larger one in the coming weeks. He also added that it is very likely that smaller aftershocks may follow the quake.
Vidale added that the quake will not trigger any tsunami concerns: "It would never make a wave that you could see." However, it was large enough to activate California's developing earthquake early-warning system.
The early-warning system is being developed under the USGS and is reportedly only available to a certain array of testers. Reports state that more people will be able to test the system later in 2018.
"We all felt it pretty well. It was small and distinct," he said. "We heard the warning go off and then we heard the shaking."