Earthquake in California and the wave of tremors in the U.S. on February 12

During the last 24 hours of February 11 and 12, the United States experienced intense seismic activity with a total of 18 earthquakes recorded in North America and the Caribbean, according to reports from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). This natural phenomenon, although common in certain U.S. territories, once again highlighted the seismic vulnerability of specific areas, particularly California, where several of these tremors occurred.

Epicenter of the strongest quake: California concentrates activity

The most intense quake during this period occurred in the Petrolia, California region, with a magnitude of 3.3. Although this was not the only seismic event in the state, California again positioned itself as one of the main geological activity hotspots in the country. Of the nine earthquakes that occurred on the U.S. mainland, several were precisely located in California, reflecting the ongoing tectonic instability of the area.

Through the USGS interactive map available on its official portal, it can be seen that activity was not limited to California. Records show events in various locations:

• Near Petrolia, CA: tremors of magnitudes 3.0, 3.2, and 3.3, recorded between 01:15 and 01:53 UTC
• Near Olancha, CA: magnitude 3.2 quake
• Sunol, CA: seismic movement of magnitude 2.6
• Brawley, CA: magnitude 2.7 quake

In addition to California, Alaska also reported significant activity, including the largest magnitude quake of the period: a 4.0 magnitude earthquake recorded 92 kilometers southwest of Adak, Alaska, at 01:15 UTC on February 12.

USGS confirms 18 seismic movements in North America and the Caribbean

The official record from the United States Geological Survey documents earthquakes in multiple states and territories. Besides California and Alaska, tremors were recorded in Wyoming (magnitude 3.0 near Edgerton), South Carolina (magnitude 2.5 near Centerville), and Oklahoma (magnitude 2.7 near Calumet).

Non-continental territories were also not spared: Alaska recorded the majority of events, with more than 9 tremors spread across different zones, while Hawaii and Puerto Rico complete the picture of seismic activity within U.S. jurisdictions.

Why do California and Alaska experience more frequent earthquakes?

The concentration of seismic activity in California and Alaska is not coincidental but results from specific geological processes. California is home to the San Andreas Fault, a geological rupture where the Pacific and North American tectonic plates are in constant motion. This friction between plates is responsible for most of the earthquakes affecting major cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco throughout history.

In Alaska, a similar phenomenon occurs: the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate also come into contact, generating ongoing seismic activity. Despite the frequency of these tremors, many go unnoticed due to the low population density in that region.

Beyond these two critical areas, other regions such as the Rocky Mountains and mountain ranges in the central United States can also experience occasional earthquakes, though less frequently than California and Alaska. These events, though less predictable, remind the population of the importance of being prepared for natural geological phenomena.