California Rattled by Triple Earthquake Strike Amid Fears of the “Big One”

On Monday, May 19, 2025, California was abruptly reminded of its place atop one of the world’s most notorious seismic fault lines. In less than two minutes, the US Geological Survey recorded a series of three earthquakes — magnitudes ranging from 2.5 to 3.8 — that shook an area just 21 miles south of Bakersfield, near the town of Grapevine.

This cluster of tremors occurred along a highly scrutinized segment of the San Andreas Fault, the massive 800-mile geological fracture that slices through the Golden State from Cape Mendocino in the north to the Salton Sea in the south. Grapevine, notably, sits near Tejon Pass beneath Interstate 5 — a key corridor linking Northern and Southern California.

The San Andreas Fault has long been viewed as a ticking geological time bomb. The last major rupture in this particular stretch was the infamous Fort Tejon quake in 1857, a magnitude 7.9 monster that tore through the landscape, uprooted trees, disrupted riverbeds, and caused widespread destruction. That was 167 years ago — a concerning statistic given that major seismic events in this area are estimated to occur roughly every 100 to 150 years.

The recent tremors are part of a larger pattern. In just the past week, Grapevine has experienced over 20 smaller earthquakes, raising concern among experts and residents alike. While Monday’s quakes were not large enough to cause significant damage, they come amid growing concern over when — not if — California will be hit by the “Big One.”

The implications of such a quake are staggering. According to USGS simulations, a repeat of the 1857 event today could devastate water aqueducts serving Southern California, damage critical electric infrastructure, and rip apart major transportation routes like Interstate 5. The shaking would likely be felt across Central Los Angeles and beyond, affecting millions.

USGS geologist Kate Scharer told the Los Angeles Times, “This would be more broadly felt across the basin. It would impact our ability to be a world-class city.”

Angie Lux, a project scientist at the Berkeley Seismology Lab, has stated that experts are “fairly confident” a large quake could hit within the next 30 years. The potential toll? An estimated 1,800 deaths, 50,000 injuries, and $200 billion in damages, according to the Great California ShakeOut organization.

Meanwhile, scientists are also keeping a close eye on another dangerous seismic zone: the Cascadia Subduction Zone, which runs offshore from Northern California to British Columbia. This region, too, is capable of producing magnitude 8.0+ earthquakes and could severely affect coastal communities with both shaking and flooding due to land subsidence.

Historically, the Cascadia fault has ruptured every 400–600 years. The last event was in the year 1700 — over 300 years ago.

While Monday’s tremors near Bakersfield may not be the long-dreaded “Big One,” they serve as a powerful reminder of California’s ever-present seismic risk. For residents, it reinforces the importance of remaining aware, prepared, and informed.

Source: Daily Mail