California Earthquake Warning Spreads After Colombia’s 7.4 Quake—but No Official Alert Issued
A California earthquake warning is circulating online after a geophysicist who claims to have predicted Colombia’s magnitude-7.4 earthquake said the US state could be next.
Claim Follows Powerful Colombia Earthquake
The warning emerged after the deadly earthquake struck western Colombia, causing widespread destruction and triggering numerous aftershocks.
However, the identity of the geophysicist and evidence supporting the reported prediction have not been independently confirmed.
No Official California Earthquake Alert
No government agency has issued an official warning that a major earthquake is imminent in California.
The US Geological Survey says scientists cannot reliably predict the precise time, location and magnitude of an earthquake. Experts can only calculate long-term probabilities and monitor seismic activity.
Does the Colombia Earthquake Threaten California?
Colombia and California are both earthquake-prone, but they are affected by different tectonic and fault systems. The Colombian earthquake does not automatically mean that California will experience a major earthquake next.
California nevertheless faces permanent seismic risk from faults including the San Andreas and San Jacinto systems.
Residents Advised to Prepare, Not Panic
Residents should keep emergency supplies available, secure heavy furniture and enable official earthquake alerts on their phones.
California’s earthquake early-warning system may provide several seconds of notice after an earthquake begins, but it cannot predict an event days or weeks in advance.
