California Earthquake Update

Last week, Ridgecrest, California was hit by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake on July 5, which followed a 6.4-magnitude foreshock on July 4. In reports following these events, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) noted there were “no significant impacts” to water and wastewater systems. There were some minor impacts, which included line breaks in two counties, one of which issued a boil water notice and the other of which led FEMA to arrange a delivery of bottled water.

Following these events, as with many earthquakes, there were some reports attempting to predict specific aftershocks. It is important to note that, while the overall probability of aftershocks can be forecasted, such forecasts are different from predictions of specific events. USGS notes that it is not possible to provide specific times for earthquakes. Sources providing specific times for earthquakes, as opposed to forecasts over wide windows, are not distributing accurate information.