6.9 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Baja California

An earthquake measuring 6.9 magnitude at the Richter scale shook Baja California, Mexico late Sunday, April 4. It was felt as far as Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Palm Springs, Tijuana and Arizona.baja california los angeles map

US Geological Survey stated that the quake hit the area at 15:40 PDT 19 miles southeast of Mexicali, (16 miles south southwest of Guadalupe Victoria, 108 miles east southeast of Tijuana) at a depth of 20 miles. Quakes of 3.0 magnitudes have been experienced in the area several times this week. Multiple aftershocks were felt after.

There are no immediate incidents of major damages reported. Alfredo Escobedo, Civil Protection Director of the state of Baja California, however, said that they are still assessing the impact of the earthquake.

“I’m shaking like a leaf … the pool water was just going everywhere,” said Jean Nelson in Indio, California outside of Palm Springs.

In El Centro, California, a town near the US-Mexican border, power and phone services were cut due to the tremor.