The earthquake swarm that hit Ventura County over the past two days is not unusual and isn’t likely to be followed by a stronger temblor, renowned seismologist Lucy Jones said Friday.
The U.S. Geological Survey recorded several small earthquakes in the Ventura area on Thursday, followed by another series of tremors within a two-hour period the next day.
That included a magnitude 3.6 quake that hit about 4 miles west of Ventura at around 5:30 a.m. Friday, as well as events that registered at magnitudes 3.5, 3.2 and 2.5.
No injuries nor damages were reported.
The chances of a magnitude 3 earthquake being followed by a magnitude 5 temblor is less than 1 in 1,000, Jones said in a series of reassuring tweets.
“Today’s Ventura activity is an earthquake swarm. That means no one quake is so much bigger than the others that it can be called the mainshock,” Jones wrote in one tweet. “Swarms are common. Similar ones in Ventura in 1984 & 2015. Swarms are NOT more likely to be followed by a big quake.”
Nevertheless, Ventura County officials said the recent shaking is “a good reminder for residents to be prepared.”
They urged everyone to have a plan ready, prepare an emergency kit, and remember to drop, cover and hold on in case a much powerful earthquake strikes.
