Paige Smith | Contributing Writer
Friday night began with a shake, rattle and roll. The earthquake that hit along the Puente Hills fault line had a 5.1 magnitude and caused minor damages to the La Habra area. Here in Azusa the quake could be felt, but there were no reported damages.
APU’s choir was finishing up their concert with a rendition of “Killing Me Softly” and towards the end the building shook causing the choir members to fight for their balance on the stage and the bleachers.
On Saturday afternoon there was another earthquake with a magnitude of 4.1 and according to the U.S. Geological Survey seismologist, Lucy Jones, a 7.5 earthquake along the Puente Hills fault could be far more destructive than ‘The Big One’ that scientists and communities in the LA area are worried about.
The aftershocks of the earthquake could continue throughout the next few days or weeks. As of Sunday afternoon there has been over 100 aftershocks from Friday night’s earthquake.
Sunday morning there was a reported 4.8 earthquake in Yellowstone National Park, however, no damages were reported.
According to the U.S.G.S. and Southern California Earthquake Center, a massive earthquake along the Puente Hills fault could cause more than an estimated $250 billion dollar in damages and kill 3,000 to 18,000 people. These numbers are shocking but it is important for people to know how to stay safe during earthquakes.
To ensure safety, it is important to take cover under a table or doorframe, or something with a concrete surface.
Unlike tornadoes and hurricanes, there is no scientific knowledge currently that can warn people of upcoming earthquakes. The U.S.G.S. is currently working on a device that can alert people of an earthquake at least four seconds before.
Friday night was the first time for me that I had felt an earthquake. They are constantly happening but just can’t be felt all the time. The earth moves and shifts and sometimes it just likes to stir things up for the people on top of it.