California Hit by Rapid Succession of Earthquakes Within 12-Hour Span

California Hit by Three Earthquakes in 12 Hours Amid San Andreas Fault Concerns
(Note: Image suggestions include a map of California quake locations, a diagram of the San Andreas Fault, and archival photos of past earthquakes.)

By Stacy Liberatore
Updated: 22:37 BST, 2 April 2025

California experienced three earthquakes within 12 hours this week, reigniting fears about the “Big One”—a long-predicted catastrophic quake along the San Andreas Fault. The latest tremor, a 2.8-magnitude event, struck Monterey County at 4:16 p.m. ET Wednesday. Two earlier quakes—magnitudes 2.8 and 2.9—occurred near San Francisco, felt by nearly 2,000 residents. No injuries or damage were reported (US Geological Survey).

Key Details:

• Recent Activity: The earthquakes originated from the Calaveras Fault (a San Andreas branch) and Monterey County. Shaking was reported in San Francisco’s East Bay suburbs but remained below the 2.5+ threshold typically felt by humans (Michigan Tech University).
• Historical Context: The San Andreas Fault hasn’t seen a major rupture since 1906’s 7.9-magnitude quake that devastated San Francisco, killing 3,000. In 1857, a similar-sized quake near Fort Tejon caused widespread destruction.
• The “Big One” Risk: Experts warn the fault is overdue for a magnitude 8+ quake, which could impact 39 million people. “We’re fairly confident a major quake could occur within 30 years,” said Angie Lux of UC Berkeley’s Seismology Lab.

(Image idea: A timeline comparing 1857, 1906, and 2025 quakes)

Why Now?
Over 10,000 quakes have shaken California this year, though most are minor. Tectonic plate movement along fault lines builds stress until friction is overcome, releasing energy as earthquakes. “Studies conflict on warning signs—some show increased activity before big quakes, others don’t,” noted USGS scientist Dr. Sue Hough.

Preparedness Is Key:
California continues to enhance early-warning systems. Residents are urged to have emergency kits and evacuation plans.

(Image idea: Infographic on earthquake preparedness steps)

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Condensed from original DailyMail.com article, retaining key facts and context while removing redundant details.