# "Strongest earthquake in years rattles Southern California; damage reported" (July 4, 2019) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 4, 2019, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533 "2019-07-04T20:45:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2019, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/1 "2019-07-04T20:45:44Z")
Any Dopers in or near this? Article says it’s about 100 miles north of Los Angeles. **[Strongest earthquake in years rattles Southern California; damage reported](https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-earthquake-california-shake-quake-20190704-story.html)** > [@](#): > > A 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck Southern California on Thursday, the largest temblor to hit the region in years. > > The 10:33 a.m. quake was centered in the Searles Valley, a remote area of Kern County about 100 miles north of Los Angeles, and was felt as far away as Long Beach and Las Vegas. > > There were no immediate reports of fatalities, though authorities in the city of Ridgecrest were responding to dozens of emergency calls. > … > > Caltech seismologist Lucy Jones, California’s foremost earthquake expert, told a midday news conference in Pasadena to anticipate more shaking on the Fourth of July. > > “We should be expecting lots of aftershocks,” Jones said. She estimated that there was a “greater than 50-50” chance of an earthquake of magnitude 5.5 or more Thursday afternoon. > > By 12:30 p.m. more than 65 aftershocks had been recorded, including three that registered above magnitude 4.5. > … There’s a map at that link. And some video. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/2 "2019-07-04T20:51:42Z")
We felt in down here in the IE. Long, rolling waves. Last I heard there was some damage. A Best Western was trashed in Ridgecrest. Roads in the area are cracked and they’ve evacuated a hospital for inspection. Disneyland shut down all its rides for inspection. AFAIK, they are back open now. Kern County officials are saying things “things aren’t too bad, but they aren’t to good, either.” ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2019, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/3 "2019-07-04T22:54:25Z")
Definitely felt it all the way into Woodland Hills, ~160 miles away. At the start it wasn’t clear if it was going to intensify, it started with a medium slow rattle, not a jolt, but when it didn’t get much stronger, it left me with the impression that it was strong but distant. The rattle seemed to last about 20 seconds (your impression of time in these situations is distorted), with the residual rolling going on for another 20. Enough time for my spouse to yell repeatedly for our kid, and us to argue about the best place to brace ourselves. So, a bit of a long time. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2019, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/4 "2019-07-04T23:48:42Z")
they say its 6.6 now Ridgecrest is about an hour north of the high desert which is where I’m at and it woke me up So our flop of July (as I call it ) started with the biggest earthquake (6.4) in ca since Northridge a few DVDs fell off the shelf and the Wii u moton sensor fell off the tv … Turned on Knbc4 and watched a few minutes and wanted to kill one of the broadcasters cause the attitude of “well at least it happened in the desert sticks and not someplace really important” ie la or the sf valley ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2019, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/5 "2019-07-05T00:27:01Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > they say its 6.6 now > > Ridgecrest is about an hour north of the high desert which is where I’m at and it woke me up > > So our flop of July (as I call it ) started with **the biggest earthquake (6.4) in ca since Northridge** a few DVDs fell off the shelf and the Wii u moton sensor fell off the tv … Turned on Knbc4 and watched a few minutes and wanted to kill one of the broadcasters cause the attitude of “well at least it happened in the desert sticks and not someplace really important” ie la or the sf valley [Yeah, no](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_earthquakes_in_California) (Wiki), but I can understand why you thought it was. The San Simeon quake, distance from which I was situated 23 miles of the epicenter, was a 6.6 in December 2003. Our sparse population saved us from more deaths/injuries, but it was a serious rock 'n roller. My home was situated in a happy way and escaped damage, but I had friends whose homes were condemned due to that quake. So if you are correct (and I have no reason to doubt you), then yours is tied for the biggest quake since Northridge. I like yours better, though, because it distracted from… other things happening today. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2019, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/6 "2019-07-05T00:31:20Z")
> [@nightshadea](#): > > …Turned on Knbc4 and watched a few minutes and wanted to kill one of the broadcasters cause the attitude of “well at least it happened in the desert sticks and not someplace really important” ie la or the sf valley Dang! That sucks, besides being very unprofessional. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2019, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/7 "2019-07-05T00:37:10Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Dang! That sucks, besides being very unprofessional. Agreed. These big quakes at shallow depths are scary. **nightshadea** , I’m glad you are ok and you suffered little in the way of loss. ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2019, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/8 "2019-07-05T01:27:22Z")
I didn’t even realize there had been a quake where I was (South Bay). By my calculations, I was just stepping into the shower when it struck. I didn’t have a clue until I took my phone off the charger and saw it in the newsfeed. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2019, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/9 "2019-07-05T02:27:46Z")
I woke up five minutes before. I just flushed the toidy I thought it might be the plumbing. Then the rolling-boogie-woogie began for about 20-22 secs. I’m in Valley Village, about 140 miles SSW. felt like about a 2-2.2 here. I skipped the Red Bull for today. And they are scary. There’s not a thing we can do to stop them happening. Same with tsunamis. Maybe we should tether hot air balloons to our windows. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2019, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/10 "2019-07-05T02:32:01Z")
Felt it clear and strong here in Las Vegas but not strong enough to knock anything over. I’ve felt a handful of minor tremors since. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2019, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/11 "2019-07-05T02:47:44Z")
I felt the room start to weave and after mentally checking to see whether I had drugs kicking in ( I didn’t) held onto the desk and rode it out. I yelled “Earthquake!” to the wife, who was all of 20 feet away and didn’t feel a thing. She didn’t believe me until I pointed out the swinging plants outside the window. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2019, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/12 "2019-07-05T04:13:21Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > We felt in down here in the IE. Sidebar, please, counsel: “IE”? Which is? In any event, glad you and the other So-Cal Dopers are okay. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2019, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/13 "2019-07-05T05:11:18Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Sidebar, please, counsel: “IE”? Which is? > > In any event, glad you and the other So-Cal Dopers are okay. Inland Empire. (I live near there. Hi, shakey neighbor, **silenus** ) Inland area of Los Angeles. (Cue Imperial Star Wars theme) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![brad\_d](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@brad\_d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brad_d)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2019, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/14 "2019-07-05T06:38:20Z")
Felt it in Long Beach, about 140 miles away. I gradually became aware of gentle rolling - there was no sudden initial shock. It went on without getting more intense for what seemed like a really long time. No damage or disarray here. My 11-year old daughter thought it was weirdly fun, and my 5-year old sons didn’t even seem to notice. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2019, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/15 "2019-07-05T07:26:02Z")
I just saw a lady from the USGS say, “If you have experienced earthquakes in California for the last twenty years, you have experiences an unusually quiet period.” That sort of makes you think, doesn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2019, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/16 "2019-07-05T13:36:08Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > I just saw a lady from the USGS say, “If you have experienced earthquakes in California for the last twenty years, you have experiences an unusually quiet period.” > > That sort of makes you think, doesn’t it? Sorry. Gotta 'splain that to me. (I’m guessing you meant “experienceD.”) Is she saying that prior to 20 years ago, there were lots more? Or that in the future there will be lots more? ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2019, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/17 "2019-07-05T13:50:11Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Sorry. Gotta 'splain that to me. (I’m guessing you meant “experienceD.”) Is she saying that prior to 20 years ago, there were lots more? Or that in the future there will be lots more? I am not sure. I have a hard time understanding earthquakes, their power, frequency and destruction. That is why I latched onto this. It certainly sounded ominous. [I believe this is the link.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqUYLKUvlqc) ---
**Author:** ![peccavi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peccavi/32/388_2.png) [@peccavi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peccavi)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2019, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/18 "2019-07-06T03:27:08Z")
OK, OK, OK. I felt that one. A long slow shaker and the building rolled back and forth a bit (always a bit scary because if it gets worse…well). Going online to check out where it was now. Preliminary- 7.1, Ridgecrest again. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2019, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/19 "2019-07-06T03:34:40Z")
Yep, felt just a little bigger and a little longer than the original one. ---
**Author:** ![RadioWave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RadioWave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadioWave)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2019, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533/20 "2019-07-06T03:35:06Z")
Geez. We’re 150 miles away and we were shaking it good! Those poor bastards in Ridgecrest. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/strongest-earthquake-in-years-rattles-southern-california-damage-reported-july-4-2019/836533.md?page=2)