Biggest earthquake in 20 years rocks Southern California, aftershocks expected
A powerful earthquake with a preliminary 6.4 magnitude rocked Southern California on Thursday morning, officials said, as they warned that strong aftershocks are expected. It was the strongest earthquake in Southern California since 1999, seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones said at a news conference. Aftershocks will likely exceed a magnitude 5, Jones said. "We will continue to have a lot of aftershocks," Jones said. "I think the chance of having a magnitude 5... it's probably greater than 50-50." The epicenter of the Fourth of July quake was near Searles Valley in the Mojave Desert, which is about 150 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Structure fires were reported in the nearby city of Ridgecrest, according to Kern County fire officials. In San Bernardino County no injuries were reported, but buildings and roads suffered damage, according to fire officials. The Los Angeles Police Department said it has not received any reports of damage or calls for service...
