Ever since Southern California was struck by that historic "atmospheric river" rain event a few weeks back, which dumped trillions of gallons of water across large swaths of Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties before traveling east across Las Vegas and beyond, the West Coast has been shaking with earthquakes at an incredible volume.
The Southern California Earthquake Data Center reported a total of 945 earthquakes over a recent seven-day period immediately following the rain storm – check out this map to see for yourself where all that movement is taking place.
The sheer weight and movement of heavy rainfall can, we now know, impact fault lines to the point that it triggers an earthquake. This appears to be what California is now experiencing due to the storm and likely other factors.
In a span of just 25 minutes on the morning of Monday, February 12, there were 13 significant earthquakes that shook California, one of them measuring at a magnitude of 4.8. Thankfully for Californians, none of them were large enough to cause any significant damage – though many people reported feeling them.
"Definitely felt much stronger than a 4.8," one person wrote on X about the quake.
"Earthquake swarms just as I was about to go to bed," wrote another. "Strong enough for things to fall and break. Sadly, a few broken decorations."
(Related: There is growing speculation and scientific evidence to suggest that California's record-breaking rainfall event is lubricating and softening the state's many fault lines, which could soon lead to the infamous "Big One" earthquake.)
The "Big One," a possible Gulf Stream collapse, and what else?
Most people familiar with California earthquakes have probably heard of the San Andreas fault system, which has been mentioned in television shows and movies for many years. In this case, California's San Jacinto fault system caused the most problems on Monday.
In the 24-hour period following Monday's quake events, there were another 27 significant quakes of at least 2.5 magnitude that further shook the Golden State. And let's not forget the 4.6-magnitude earthquake that shook Malibu last week, which came with numerous aftershocks.
It has been a long time since there has been a swarm of earthquakes this large. Should the number of earthquakes in a week exceed 1,000 in California, Michael from End of the American Dream says that people might want to really start paying attention.
"When it finally arrives, the ground on the western side of a major fault line could suddenly drop by several feet (or more), and because much of that area is just barely above sea level that could potentially allow the Pacific Ocean to come rushing in," Michael writes about the "Big One."
California's arid desert landscape is simply not used to the amount of rain that fell across the southern portion of the state not only in the most recent rain event but also in numerous others, including Hurricane Hillary from last year that turned Death Valley into a lake. That lake is still there, by the way.
"I never would have imagined it would be possible for a lake to exist in Death Valley for six months, but we do not live in normal times," Michael further writes.
Another growing worry is a possible collapse of the Gulf Stream, which would bring with it a catastrophe the likes of what is depicted in the film The Day After Tomorrow.
"We really are on the verge of apocalyptic times, and global events will soon turn all of our lives completely upside down," Michael further warns.
California is long overdue for the "Big One" – do you think it will happen in 2024? Find out more at Disaster.news.
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