Edhat Staff
Update by edhat staff
A 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit near Ridgecrest around 8:19 p.m. Friday, just one day after a 6.4-magnitude quake struck in the same area, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
Ridgecrest, approximately 210 miles northeast of Santa Barbara, is within San Bernadino County where their Fire Department received multiple reports of fires, injuires, and damage including cracked foundations, shifting homes, and downed retaining walls. The county has activated an emergency operations center.
The nearby Los Angeles County Fire Department also reported downed wires and localized power outages, but no major infrastructure damage. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he has activated the state emergency operation center to its highest level. “The state is coordinating mutual aid to local first responders,” he tweeted Friday night.
USGS reports this is the strongest earthquake to hit Southern California in nearly 20 years producing more than 1,400 aftershocks with more expected, many of them averaging 4.0 magnitudes.
Similar to Thursday’s earthquake, the rolling ground was felt hundreds of miles from the epicenter reaching as far as Mexico and Las Vegas.
Reported by edhat readers
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8:15 pm, earthquake, another roller
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In downtown SB, watched all the hanging lights sway back and forth for a few minutes. Must be another earthquake
Reported by Roger the Scanner Guy
Another earthquake, if no one else felt it I’m nuts.
July 4, 2019 – 
You are not nuts. Definitely felt this one. Hope all are ok
I thought the epicenter had to be off the coast and am completely shocked (no pun intended) that it was all the way in Ridgecrest! I heard that there is no major structural damage up there, but the residents are definitely rattled.
Big time swaying near El Encanto. Pool water swashing. Parked car moving back and forth. Lasted a long time and definitely felt much stronger than yesterday. And, then aftershocks still happening. Can feel them up above Mission Ridge. Could be an even larger one coming after this as the pressure is still building.
I walked outside my old house to see what was making the weird creaking noise; then I saw the huge branches of our oak tree swaying back and forth even though there was no wind.
If you try to drag the streetview guy in google maps over area 51 he turns into a flying saucer…
I’m surprised Edhat Staff would tout 7.1. It was downgraded to 6.9 hours and hours ago.
Visit the USGS site, and it looks more like you have it backwards. Initially reported as m6.9, upgraded to m7.1.
You’re right. I shamefully admit my faux pas. And I’m not even a drinker or have any under-the-influence excuse.
Thanks for that, Rex. Now I feel a bit less stupid.
We were in the process of deep watering our front and backyard lawns when the swaying began. I noticed that a couple of the water puddles were “dancing” and thought I was losing my mind, but then I realized that we were having an earthquake. My initial thought was that it was probably at least a 6.6 or 6.7, but could not believe it when it was reported as a 7.1! I am now definitely a believer in “earthquake weather.” The 1925 earthquake happened on June 29th – too much of a coincidence in my opinion.
Friend’s house near Cathedral Oaks & Fairview: We were on the patio. Swung pendant outdoor lights; felt like a truck crossing an overpass with your car. Less than a minute.
The earthquake was first reported as 7.1, then downgraded to 6.9. and soon back to 7.1. Apparently it lasted 30 seconds in Ridgecrest. Seemed to last at least that long at our house (in Carp), my recliner swayed me sideways and all our hanging things, plants, chandler, and other interesting artifacts just kept moving. Grandkids (8 & 6) were really excited to experience an earthquake.