48 Magnitude Earthquake Among Over A Dozen Shakes Registered In Southern California Overnight

Southern California Overnight Earthquakes: 4.8 Magnitude Quake Among Dozens

Magnitude and Effects of Earthquakes

According to Michigan Technological University, the intensity of an earthquake's effects is measured on the Mercalli intensity scale, which ranges from I to XII. The magnitude of an earthquake, on the other hand, measures the amount of energy released during the event and is determined using the Richter scale, where each increment of 1 represents a 10-fold increase in amplitude.

4.8 Magnitude Earthquake in Southern California

Overnight, Southern California experienced a series of earthquakes, with one of the strongest measuring a magnitude of 4.8. This quake occurred at 12:36 am PST Sunday northwest of El Centro, California. The shaking was felt in San Diego and Ocotillo, leaving many residents awake.

Calculating Released Energy

The Gutenberg-Richter equation can be used to estimate the amount of energy released during an earthquake. This equation states that the log of the earthquake's magnitude is proportional to the log of the energy released.

Additional Earthquakes in the Area

In addition to the 4.8 magnitude quake, over a dozen smaller earthquakes were recorded in the same area overnight. These quakes ranged in magnitude from 2.5 to 3.9.

It's important to note that earthquakes can cause damage and disruption, so residents in affected areas should follow official advisories and prepare for aftershocks.