Mexico earthquake triggers ‘desert tsunami’ 1,500 miles away in Death Valley cave
On Monday, the region of southern California was rocked by a magnitude 8.2 earthquake that triggered multiple aftershocks that measured at least a magnitude 3.0.
On Tuesday, scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey reported that an earthquake measuring a magnitude of 6.0 – with five aftershocks, ranging in magnitude from 3.6 to greater than 5.0 – caused a 7-foot tsunami wave in Death Valley, which is located 1,500 miles away in the western United States.
The California report did not indicate if the death toll was higher than previously thought.
The magnitude 6.4 earthquake was focused in only a small area of Death Valley, and authorities have not ruled out more aftershocks in the area, said Scott Goss, a geologist at the USGS.
“We aren’t ruling anything out. We will certainly be paying closer attention to reports of aftershocks,” said Goss.
The earthquake, which struck at 2:58 p.m. local time in southern California, was centered near the mountains of the Inyo, Mono and San Bernadino counties.
In all, there were at least 10 aftershocks ranging in size from 3.6 to greater than 5.1.
The USGS report said the largest aftershock was a magnitude 5.8 at 7:04 p.m. local time that was centred in the area of the San Bernardino National Forest.
The magnitude 6.4 earthquake, which lasted an estimated 2.5 seconds, is in line with the two largest earthquakes since record keeping began in 1906, USGS reported.
The USGS estimates that a quake measuring at least a magnitude 5.0 and centered in the area would be the strongest since there was no initial report of a magnitude 5.2 earthquake. Based on historical data, the USGS estimates that a quake measuring at least a magnitude 6.0 and centered in the area would be the strongest since there were two in