One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Mexicali Quake Upped to 7.2. No Damage in L.A. as Aftershocks Continue.
Seismologists at CalTech have sprung into action to begin work to determine precisely how big this afternoon's earthquake in Baja, California was, and to get information about its depth, epicenter, and faultline. As is always the case with seismic activity, there is a 5 % chance that there is a larger quake to come in the next 24 hours from the same fault line.
Initially reported as a 6.9 magnitude, the earthquake has been re-assigned a 7.2 preliminary "moment" magnitude; the number may be adjusted in the next couple of hours as the event receives further scrutiny from the USGS. The epicenter is about 19 miles southeast of Mexicali, which has experienced smaller quakes all week, including just ahead of the one that struck at 3:40 this afternoon.
As series of aftershocks has followed, of which "the largest was a 5.1 magnitude centered near El Centro, California," according to abc7. The LAFD has completed their earthquake mode check of the city's infrastructure, and there has been reports of damage or injury in Los Angeles. Local news stations are currently airing phone calls with LA-area residents sharing their earthquake experiences, however substantial reports from closer to the epicenter have not been broadcast. KPCC reports via Twitter: "Calexico city manager reports structural damage downtown, residential damage includes broken windows, power lines down, no power in city."
Today's earthquake is another excellent reminder for Angelenos to ensure they have an earthquake preparedness plan and supplies in place in the event of a more serious seismic event centered in the area. We've got some helpful tips and resources here.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
