Magnitude 3.6 Earthquake Strikes Near Catalina Island

A magnitude 3.6 earthquake shook the waters off Catalina Island on Sunday evening, following two smaller quakes in close succession. The seismic activity began at 4:11 PM with a 3.1 magnitude tremor occurring 27 miles from Avalon, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Just minutes later, another quake measuring 2.5 in magnitude was detected, leading up to the larger quake that struck at 5:32 PM.

The larger earthquake was noteworthy not only for its strength but also for its shallow depth of only 0.1 miles. This depth can often lead to more significant shaking at the surface, even if the magnitude isn't extraordinarily high. In the wake of these quakes, residents are encouraged to share their experiences with the USGS to help improve data collection and understanding of earthquake impacts.

The 3.6 magnitude earthquake occurred 27 miles from Dana Point, 30 miles from San Clemente, 32 miles from Laguna Beach, and 32 miles from San Juan Capistrano. Over the past ten days, only one earthquake measuring 3.0 or greater has been recorded in the vicinity, highlighting the relative rarity of such significant seismic events. On average, California and Nevada experience 234 earthquakes of magnitudes between 3.0 and 4.0 each year, based on a recent analysis of data over three years.

As we prepare for potential seismic events, being ready is crucial. Signing up for the Unshaken newsletter is a great way to stay informed and learn about emergency preparedness in manageable steps. The newsletter covers essential topics like earthquake kits and critical advice from experts such as Lucy Jones. For more information, check out latimes.com/Unshaken.

This article was generated by Quakebot, a computer application designed to monitor seismic activity detected by the USGS. An editor from the Times reviewed the content before publication. If you're curious about how the system works, visit our frequently asked questions page to learn more.