4.9 Quake Triggers 4 Aftershocks Across Southern California—USGS Says Larger One Could Follow
ZMG Breaking News
2026-01-27
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On January 19, a magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck near Indio, shaking communities across Southern California and renewing attention to regional seismic risk.
Initial alerts listed the Southern California earthquake at 5.1 before USGS revisions set it at 4.9 near the Mission Creek strand of the San Andreas Fault. ShakeAlert issued warnings within seconds, and thousands reported moderate shaking.
No serious injuries or major damage were reported, but shallow depth amplified shaking in the Coachella Valley. At least four magnitude 3.0-plus aftershocks followed in the first hour, with hundreds recorded by January 20.
USGS forecasts indicated a small chance the event was a foreshock and a high likelihood of continued minor aftershocks. Officials highlighted preparedness steps as the swarm continued into January 21.
Initial alerts listed the Southern California earthquake at 5.1 before USGS revisions set it at 4.9 near the Mission Creek strand of the San Andreas Fault. ShakeAlert issued warnings within seconds, and thousands reported moderate shaking.
No serious injuries or major damage were reported, but shallow depth amplified shaking in the Coachella Valley. At least four magnitude 3.0-plus aftershocks followed in the first hour, with hundreds recorded by January 20.
USGS forecasts indicated a small chance the event was a foreshock and a high likelihood of continued minor aftershocks. Officials highlighted preparedness steps as the swarm continued into January 21.
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