4.9-magnitude earthquake rattles Ridgecrest area

A  4.9-magnitude earthquake shook about five miles northeast of Ridgecrest Friday morning, July 12, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The 6:11 a.m. tremor hit a week after two major quakes shook the area in Kern County, one a 6.4-magnitude earthquake and the other a 7.1.

The quake originated 6.2 miles below the surface. Shortly after it struck, 599 people reported to the USGS that they felt it, from Fresno south to Santa Ana.

Within minutes, a 3.1 and a 2.8 tremor occurred in the Ridgecrest area as well.

There were no reports of damage in Trona, said a representative of the the San Bernardino County Office of Emergency Services. Trona is 24 miles from Ridgecrest and suffered some damage last week.

Friday’s incident is believed to be the strongest aftershock of those two strong earthquakes in the region.

Seismologists, such as Dr. Lucy Jones, have continually warned that aftershocks could continue for days or weeks.

Remember, we said that the relative number of large magnitude quakes is constant, and more M5s in the sequence would be normal. This morning’s M4.9 is normal and it’s having its own aftershocks https://t.co/Q1FejGJvUI

— Dr. Lucy Jones (@DrLucyJones) July 12, 2019

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.