Southern California has experienced a series of earthquakes in recent months, reminding us of the dynamic and often volatile seismic nature of the state. California’s landscape is shaped by multiple faults capable of producing powerful earthquakes. The San Andreas Fault extends about 800 miles from Cape Mendocino to the Mexican border. This geological feature has been responsible for some of the most devastating earthquakes in the state’s history.

However, the southern section of the San Andreas Fault has not recorded a major earthquake in over 300 years, according to Geoscientist and Civil Engineer Ignacio Sepulveda. According to Sepulveda, that area typically experiences a major earthquake every 140-150 years, which means that an earthquake could happen at any time.

Historical Earthquakes

The 1906 San Francisco earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.9, remains one of the most significant seismic events in U.S. history.

It is estimated that more than 3,000 people died and around 28,000 buildings were destroyed, with tremors lasting between 45 and 60 seconds. The earthquake was felt from southern Oregon to southern Los Angeles and as far as Nevada.

Devastation and destruction following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake

Click on the left and right arrows to slide through images in the gallery above.

More recently, the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake (magnitude 6.9) in Northern California caused 63 deaths and approximately $6 billion in damages.

In Southern California, the 1994 Northridge earthquake (magnitude 6.7) resulted in nearly 60 fatalities and damaged over 112,000 buildings, with estimated damages of up to $20 billion.

Northridge Earthquake: Photos From the Days Following the Shaking

Click on the left and right arrows to slide through images in the gallery above.

Technological Advances

Recent advances in earthquake monitoring and early warning systems offer some hope. The GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) network, with nearly 1,000 stations on the West Coast, can detect even the slightest changes in the Earth’s crust with millimeter-level precision. This data feeds into early warning systems like ShakeAlert and MyShake, potentially providing crucial seconds of warning before a strong tremor begins.

Additionally, researchers at UC San Diego are testing innovative building designs using sustainable materials like laminated wood, which can be more resilient during seismic events. UC San Diego created the tallest building ever tested in an earthquake simulator. The Tallwood project, a 10-story wooden structure, was tested on UC San Diego’s shake table in May 2023.

Although earthquakes remain a constant risk in California, ongoing research, improved construction techniques, and better preparedness can help mitigate their impact. As seismologists continue to refine their understanding and forecasting abilities, residents are encouraged to stay informed and prepared for the possibility of the next major earthquake.

Did you know that aftershocks can be forecasted following a major earthquake?

After a major earthquake, aftershocks can cause additional damage and make rescue and recovery efforts more dangerous. For this reason, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) publishes aftershock forecasts. While individual aftershocks cannot be predicted, scientists can forecast the general behavior of aftershock sequences using statistical methods and historical data from areas with similar geology. These forecasts are calculated for earthquakes of magnitude 5 or greater in the U.S. and its territories, using tools like seismographs and GPS to estimate the magnitude and probability of aftershocks.

Aftershock forecasts provide crucial information that can save lives in affected communities. Emergency services use these forecasts to make decisions about when to conduct inspections of damaged buildings and carry out search and rescue operations. As communities rebuild and recover, being informed about the potential for aftershocks can make a significant difference in safety. Larger earthquakes tend to produce more aftershocks, and data measured by the regional seismic network is essential for estimating their magnitude and probability.

Preparation and Protection

As earthquakes remain an unpredictable threat, preparation is key. Experts recommend:

1. Create an emergency kit with essentials like water, non-perishable food, first aid supplies, and important documents.
2. Develop a family communication plan.
3. Secure heavy furniture and objects that could fall during an earthquake.
4. Identify safe spots in each room to take cover.

For homeowners, additional measures can be taken to protect the property:

1. Reinforce the house’s foundation—The California Earthquake Authority provides guidance and potential grant programs for this purpose.
2. Consider earthquake insurance—Standard homeowners’ insurance does not cover earthquake damage. Separate policies are available, but only about 13% of California homeowners currently have such coverage.

Did you feel it?

If you ever feel seismic movements, keep in mind that it’s important to report it, as earthquake reports are crucial for scientists studying earthquakes and tectonic activity.

Report an earthquake here.

By analyzing seismic waves, scientists can detect unusual patterns in the Earth’s crust that may indicate the presence of unknown faults. Studying seismic movements allows scientists to understand how faults behave, including how they break and interact, which can reveal new fault systems.

SpaceX accused the California Coastal Commission of political bias after the board cited Elon Musk in denying a request to increase launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is suing a California commission and accusing members of political bias after the commission rejected the company’s request to allow for more rocket launches from a California air base.

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in the Central District of California against the California Coastal Commission, which is tasked with planning and regulating the usage of land and water on the California coast.

Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara, California, has been host to SpaceX Falcon 9 launches since 2013 and the company requested to increase launches to up to 50 a year from the current 36 allowed by the state.

In a recent meeting, the commission voted 6 to 4 to deny the request from SpaceX to increase the amount of launches. During the vote, commissioners quoted environmental concerns as part of their refusal to approve the request from SpaceX.

Following the meeting, Musk’s company filed a lawsuit that asked the court to prohibit the commission from regulating the company’s rocket launches, according to court documents.

SpaceX says it has been ‘punished’ for free speech

One of the arguments leveled by SpaceX’s attorneys claims that the decision from the commission is in retaliation for some comments from Musk – the company’s leader and largest stakeholder.

“But the Commission’s unconstitutional overreach does not stop at punishing SpaceX for constitutionally protected speech, beliefs, and practices that has no relevance to the proposed launches’ effects on coastal resources—the actual issue pending before the Commission,” the lawsuit said.

SpaceX’s lawyers also accused Commissioner Caryl Hart of bias, with the lawsuit quoting comments the commissioner made in a recent meeting.

“The concern is with SpaceX increasing its launches, not with the other companies increasing their launches . . . we’re dealing with a company . . . the head of which has aggressively injected himself into the Presidential race and made it clear what his point of view is,” the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit also quoted other members of the commission, namely Commissioner Gretchen Newsom, Commissioner Mike Wilson and Commissioner Dr. Justin Cummings calling their claims “irrelevant, biased concerns about Mr. Musk’s politics.”

SpaceX’s lawyers argued that these comments were politically biased against the company and the decision to deny their request for increased launches.

Musk has been increasingly involved with the right

In recent months, Musk has become a vocal supporter of conservative candidates and causes, voicing his support for former President Donald Trump’s campaign and even donating at least $75 million to the America PAC, which Musk helped found.

He also made an appearance at a recent Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, the site of one of the assassination attempts against Trump. 

“The true test of someone’s character is how they behave under fire. We had one president who could not climb a flight of stairs and another who is fist pumping after getting shot,” Musk said during his speech, chanting, “Fight, fight, fight.”

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

Elon Musk’s SpaceX sued California regulators Tuesday for alleged politician bias.

SpaceX claimed, in a lawsuit filed in California’s Central District, that regulators denied the company permission to conduct more rocket launches because of Musk’s many controversial and hard-line conservative stances. The decision, the company claims, violates its CEO’s right to free speech.

The space exploration company wanted to launch dozens of rockets each year from Vandenberg Space Force Base near Santa Barbara, California, according to the Wall Street Journal (NWSA), but the California Coastal Commission denied the request.

Commissioner Gretchen Newsom, who is not related to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, criticized Musk before the vote on the decision, saying he had “bigoted beliefs against California’s safeguards and protections over our transgender community.”

She also lambasted him for “hopping about the country, spewing and tweeting political falsehoods and attacking FEMA while claiming his desire to help the hurricane victims with free Starlink access to the internet,” the Journal reported.

Newsom also questioned SpaceX’s safety record and labor conditions.

The company said in court documents that “rarely has a government agency made so clear that it was exceeding its authorized mandate to punish a company for the political views and statements of its largest shareholder and CEO.”

Musk criticized the Commission, writing on X: “The Coastal Commission has one job — take care of the California coast,” he said. “It is illegal for them to make decisions based on what they (mostly wrongly) think are my politics.”

Musk claimed to have “done more to advance sustainable energy & help the environment than maybe anyone ever, which is not exactly a ‘far-right’ position.” He called on the commission to resign.

Because SpaceX is a major federal contractor, there is still a chance it could launch more rockets from California.

Col. Mark Shoemaker, a commander at the Space Force who oversees Vandenberg, told the Wall Street Journal, “We are assessing the outcome from Thursday, and it is too soon to comment on launch cadence beyond the current capacity constraint.”