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Residents Alerted by Series of Small Earthquakes in Lennox and Westmont

1 week ago 0

Communities in Lennox and Westmont experienced a series of small earthquakes from Friday night into Saturday, raising concerns among residents. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded 90 micro-quakes in these unincorporated areas. The tremors ranged from magnitudes of 1.0 to 2.7, occurring between 8:05 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

The seismic activity was concentrated around the Newport-Inglewood Fault Zone. This strike-slip fault stretches from Culver City to Newport Beach. A study conducted in 2017 revealed potential underestimated risks of the fault, suggesting that ancient earthquakes might have reached magnitudes up to 7.5. Such intense seismic events had previously caused significant land subsidence in areas like Seal Beach.

In addition, a magnitude 3.2 earthquake recently hit this fault zone near Compton, intensifying local concerns. Residents across various cities and neighborhoods, including Crenshaw, Huntington Park, Bell, West Adams, Mid-City, and Gardena, shared their experiences of feeling the tremors through online platforms.

The United States Geological Survey, responsible for monitoring earthquakes, was not immediately available for comment. However, their information indicates that micro-quakes do not typically predict larger seismic events.

The USGS also stated that significant rainfall, such as the recent storm that impacted Los Angeles, is unlikely to influence seismic activity directly. Nonetheless, they highlighted a study suggesting that extreme weather conditions, like heavy rain or drought, may indirectly impact fault zones, potentially affecting micro-quake activity through changes in precipitation patterns.

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