California Shaken by Series of Earthquakes in Less Than 12 Hours

In a stark reminder of the seismic volatility along the West Coast, California was rattled by a cluster of four earthquakes within a 12-hour window on April 10, 2025. While no injuries or damage have been reported, the series of tremors has once again stirred concern over the ever-looming threat of a major earthquake in the region.

The seismic activity kicked off around 9:00 PM ET with a magnitude 3.5 quake near Little Lake, a region in central California known for frequent tectonic unrest. A few hours later, the ground shook again—this time near Petrolia in Northern California, registering a 2.8 on the Richter scale.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), quakes in the 2.5 to 5.4 range are typically felt but rarely cause significant damage. However, the cumulative effect of multiple tremors in such a short span is enough to jolt nerves and raise questions about what might come next.

The latest event occurred along the infamous San Andreas Fault, which stretches roughly 800 miles through California. This fault line has long been a focal point for scientists and emergency preparedness officials who warn that it is overdue for a massive rupture—an event colloquially known as "The Big One."

Historical records only deepen those concerns. The 1857 Fort Tejon earthquake and the devastating 1906 San Francisco quake—both magnitude 7.9—left lasting scars. The former uprooted trees and destroyed buildings across Los Angeles and surrounding areas, while the latter resulted in over 3,000 deaths and widespread destruction in San Francisco.

The frequency of tremors is not new to Californians. According to Volcano Discovery, the state has experienced over 11,000 earthquakes this year alone, with nine surpassing a magnitude of 2. As tectonic plates continue to grind and shift deep below the Earth's crust, the surface remains vulnerable to sudden and unpredictable jolts.

While the recent swarm caused no damage, it serves as a sobering reminder: in earthquake country, it’s not a matter of *if*, but *when*.

Source: Daily Mail