MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Was Ventura County earthquake linked to Hurricane Hilary? 'Hurriquake' claims flood Internet

Ventura County in Southern California was hit with a 5.1 magnitude earthquake the same day as Hurricane Hilary

OJAI, CALIFORNIA: Southern Californians witnessed double trouble on Sunday as an earthquake of 5.1 magnitude rattled Ventura County amidst the forecast of tropical storm Hilary.

The first tremor happened in Ventura County, about 4 miles southeast of Ojai and about 80 miles northwest of Los Angeles. It brought in numerous aftershocks greater than 3.0 magnitudes, per Independent.

Adding to the woe, Hurricane Hilary hit Southern California, which is also a first in decades.

Seismologist's take on connection between Hurricane Hilary and earthquake

Per NBC Los Angeles, there is no evidence so far of a connection between Hurricane Hilary and the earthquake near Ojai that shook California.

While South Californian residents were subject to the joint attack of Tropical Storm Hilary and the 5.1 quake, many people wondered whether the two natural phenomena are interlinked.

Seismologist and the author of ‘The Big One’ Dr Lucy Jones told NBC Los Angeles that while there is no direct relationship between plate activity and the weather condition above the ground, seismic disruptions may take place as a result of substantial rain water.

Dr Jones explained, "The one way that it could (is) the pressure in the water in the ground does affect faults," before adding, "If you go and build a great big reservoir and significantly increase the pore pressure, [as] it's called - the pressure in the fluids in the ground - you could set off earthquakes. That's a well-known fact."

Reflecting on the probability of rain changing the underground pressure, Dr Jones said, "You'd have to have a pretty large change in the water table to see it happening, and we've looked for this pattern because there is this sort of theoretical marginal potential for it happening.”

However, she acknowledged, "But nobody's been able to demonstrate that it happens more often.”

She further added, "We need to remember that the most human response that we have is that we want to find a pattern.”

Dr Jones continued, "Because if we can find a pattern, then we can say 'I'm safer at times when that pattern isn't there.'”

“And so, we have a pretty strong psychological drive to look for those patterns and try to find them... And so far, nobody's been able to really confirm that pattern,” she remarked.

Where did the earthquake hit California on Sunday?

Per the USGS website, an earthquake of 5.1 magnitude was recorded 4.3 miles southeast of Ojai, a city located in Ventura County, at around 2.41 pm on Sunday, August 20.

The Ventura County officials further revealed that the earthquake occurred along the Sisar Fault system and not San Andreas Fault. 

Aftershocks ranging as high as magnitudes of 3.6 were recorded near Ojai.

'HurriQuake' claims

"Believe it or not the earthquake could be tied to Hurricane Hilary- the rain lubricated faults that were fixing to pop. LIVE: Earthquake that jolted Ventura County upgraded to 5.1, felt widely across SoCal," said one social media user who claimed to be a geologist.

Someone else wondered, "5.0 earthquake hit Ventura County just now. Wonder if increased weight (rain from hurricane) on the ground can cause earthquakes. #HurricaneHilary #hurricanehillary #Hurricane."

A third said, "Ventura County, CA with a 5.1 earthquake PLUS the Hurricane Hilary rains… Happy Hurriquake Day!!"

"What a strange day. #HurricaneHilary and now an Earthquake in Ventura County," quipped the fourth.

"I did not have #HurriQuake on my bingo card today. #earthquake #hilary," joked a user.

"‘Hurriquake’ is a new one for us, too," said Merriam-Webster.