Earthquakes Rock Western Coast – In the last two days California, Oregon, and Alaska have all experienced 4-plus magnitude earthquakes.

The California earthquake happened at 4:04 AM PDT with a magnitude of 4.4.  According to LA fire officials, the quake wasn’t enough to jostle items off of shelves.  It was only 10 miles from the Los Angeles Civic Center.  This particular earthquake was located along the Puente Hills fault which is slow moving.  Although it is less likely to cause major earthquakes than the active San Andreas fault, major events can happen such as in the 7.9 magnitude quake that struck China in 2008 and killed approximately 70,000 people.  Many Californians have worried whether the quake is the precursor to something bigger as in the recent Chile and Haiti events, but scientists thankfully say it is unlikely.

Not making the news were an additional 441 earthquakes that have happened in California and southern Nevada during the past week.  Fortunately no serious injuries or deaths have been reported.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), Alaska also has been the victim of 244 earthquakes in the past week with the most recent being 9:08 AM PDT Tuesday.  Eight of the earthquakes in the past two days have been at least a magnitude three with the largest being a four on Tuesday, happening immediately after the quake in Los Angeles.

Oregon tops the list with the highest seismic activity recently.  A 4.6 magnitude quake happened on Tuesday near Bandon, Oregon, a town of just over 2,800 people.  A 4.9 magnitude quake happened the evening of March 12th off the Oregon coast.