Southern California Weather Force has issued an Earthquake Watch effective now through the weekend into Monday for the chance of a stronger earthquake occurring on the San Andreas Fault.
At 10:55am Pacific Time on January 5th, 2024, a magnitude 4.2 earthquake occurred along the junction point of the San Andreas and San Jacinto Fault zones. This area last shook with a foreshock in the 1970s, which is what this might be.
At the current time, no aftershocks have been recorded. This means this very well could be a foreshock, or shock before the mainshock. You can think of it as holding onto a ledge. A finger slips and you get a jolt. You still have the rest of your hand left before you finally let go and slip completely. That is my analogy of a foreshock.
If this was a foreshock, we have now to Monday to see the mainshock. A larger quake on the San Andreas will rip northwestward through the Inland Empire and High Desert zones, Los Angeles, SCV, Antelope Valley, and Kern County areas, along with the Ventura zones. Should it break the entire fault southward, you have Big Bear, Banning, Coachella Valley, and Imperial Valley.
Better to be safe than sorry, so make sure you have your quake kits ready.
Make an Emergency Plan: Create a family emergency communications plan that has an out-of-state contact. Keep in mind that after a major earthquake, cellphone towers are jammed, and you will not be able to get through to anyone.
Plan where to meet if you get separated. Make a supply kit that includes enough food and water for several days, a flashlight, a fire extinguisher and a whistle.
Master General Meteorologist – Raiden Storm
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