A 6.4 magnitude earthquake has struck California, making it the strongest to hit the state since the deadly 1994 Hector Mine quake, a 7.1 that killed dozens.
The earthquake originated in the remote Searles Valley area in Kern County, near the town of Ridgecrest, which is about 240km to the northeast of Los Angeles. The quake was also unusually shallow, at only 10.7km below the surface, which meant its effects were felt more strongly.
Been living in Los Angeles all my life. That was the longest earthquake I’ve ever experienced. Not jerky. Smooth and rolling. But it was loooong. It was so long I thought for the first time ever “Is this the big one?” Damn. Respect Mother Nature. She’s the boss.
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) July 4, 2019
There are no reports of deaths or injuries from the earthquake yet, but news is coming in of damaged structures, downed power lines, fires and rock slides. Millions felt the earthquake, from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in Nevada.
#Update: Incredible picture of a road ripped open just out from the town of #Trona in #California, after the 6.4 magnitude #earthquake has been felt in that region. pic.twitter.com/kz6ZpgLkdl
— Sotiri Dimpinoudis (@sotiridi) July 4, 2019
WATCH: Video shows pool in Oxnard, California, during 6.4-magnitude earthquake.
Latest: https://t.co/x2UyCOlvdW
(Video from Brian Fukutomi) pic.twitter.com/DDn1y0a02f
— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 4, 2019
My dads liquor store in Ridgecrest (11 miles from the earthquake) 🥴 pic.twitter.com/4RC0mY3eha
— Zomo (@zomo_abd) July 4, 2019
Meanwhile, obviously, social media is having a field day. An earthquake that’s left no-one dead or seriously injured? Los Angeles continues unaffected? We’re all just waiting for the hammer to fall anyway? You know what that means! It’s time for MEMES.
6.4 earthquake hits Southern California. God punishes us for the cancellation of Mad magazine.
— John Carpenter (@TheHorrorMaster) July 4, 2019
July 4 2019 earthquake damage in Bakersfield California. We will rebuild. pic.twitter.com/PlStBeHWDi
— Tuesday Turdsworth The Third (@MacktasticSlick) July 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/jaymxndoza/status/1146848255608705024
California residents on their way to 4th of July picnics when that #earthquake hit pic.twitter.com/ZKu846u1SK
— Joshua Chenault (@joshuachenault1) July 4, 2019
The fact that I experienced that longass earthquake while on the toilet at the gym…and immediately blamed the celery juice, is about right. Lordt.
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) July 4, 2019
I ran to protect our new TV when the #earthquake hit. My wife is pregnant. We’re having a conversation now.
— Pat Cunnane (@PatCunnane) July 4, 2019
Nobody:
My bed during the #earthquake: pic.twitter.com/glJJPiKLTE
— Guy (@Guy98912074) July 4, 2019
Actual footage taken during this morning’s earthquake. #EarthquakeLA pic.twitter.com/tZBUZICvIO
— John Milhiser (@JohnMilhiser) July 4, 2019
The fact that the earthquake was well-timed with President Donald Trump‘s Fourth of July parade did not go unnoticed, either:
I am no Christian but if there were earthquakes and torrential downpours on my dictator-coming-out party, I might wonder#earthquake #TrumpParade #FourthofJuly
— EvilLoo (@evilpowderoom) July 4, 2019
What a time to be alive, honestly. Glad everyone is okay in California, so far at least – experts are warning that there will likely be aftershocks.
