Free Republic

Aftershocks of the magnitude 7.1 earthquake near Ridgecrest have been creeping into areas close to two major earthquake faults, a development that is generating interest and some concern among seismologists over whether it could trigger another huge temblor. Both faults are capable of producing new earthquakes of magnitude 7 or greater. The U.S. Geological Survey says the chance of an earthquake of magnitude 7 or greater from the July 5 earthquake is 1 in 300 — “possible, but with a low probability.”

Damage to the earth’s crust from the magnitude 6.4 and 7.1 earthquakes that struck Southern California last week is visible in a kaleidoscopic satellite image released by NASA. The Advanced Rapid Imaging and Analysis team at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena used satellite data to produce a map showing ruptures and displacements not visible to the naked eye — employing technology that has been developed over the last quarter of a century. The imagery was acquired on July 8 and compared with data from April 8. The earthquakes were the largest to hit California in nearly 20 years and...

Ridgecrest, California — A 6.4 magnitude earthquake is still fresh on everyone's mind in Ridgecrest and the aftershocks won't let them forget it. After the quake, rattled nerves kept Donnie Morrison's family up through the night. "We had our shoes by the bed. We had our clothes ready to go if we had to bail out real quick," Morrison said. More than 1,000 aftershocks have rocked the community. CBS News witnessed the biggest aftershock while preparing for an early morning live shot. Another struck during an interview with seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones.