A 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit Southern California following another quake on the Fourth of July

• According to United States Geological Survey, the quake occurred shortly after 8 p.m. local time, with the epicenter 11 miles away from Ridgecrest, California, where the July 4 earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6.4, also originated.
• People felt the building sway and creak, as light fixtures wobbled.

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 magnitude hit Southern California Friday evening, just one day after another massive quake (6.4 magnitude) hit the region on the Fourth of July.

According to United States Geological Survey, the quake, which could possibly be downgraded to 6.9 magnitude, occurred shortly after 8 p.m. local time, with the epicenter 11 miles away from Ridgecrest, California, approximately where the July 4 earthquake, which had a magnitude of 6.4, also originated.

Reporter crouched under desks while building swayed and light fixtures wobbled.

Friday night's earthquake is now ranked the largest temblor in over 20 years, topping Thursday's quake as well as a 1994 quake in Northridge, which measured 6.6 magnitude. CNN reported that multiple fires, as well as several injuries, were reported in Ridgecrest after Friday's earthquake, according to Kern County spokeswoman Megan Person.

California residents took to social media and tweeted out videos of what the quake looked like for them.

USGS reported a second earthquake with a 5.0-magnitude occurring just a little under 30 minutes after the first, rattling the area once again.

Dr. Lucy Jones, a seismologist in Southern California, tweeted that the earthquakes are part of the Searles Valley sequence, in which there is a 1 in 20 chance of Friday night's 7.1-magnitude temblor could be followed by smaller quakes, likely with a magnitude of 5.0 or 6.0.

The Associated Press reported one person sustained minor injuries in San Bernardino County, as well as shifting homes, cracking foundation, and walls coming down.

In the midst of a city-wide survey, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported no major damage to infrastructure has been found, though they have heard reports of wires down and power outages in several LA neighborhoods.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted after the quake the state's Office of Emergency Services operation center is "activated to its highest level."

https://www.businessinsider.com/earthquake-hit-california-second-major-quake-in-two-days-2019-7