United States Geological Survey (USGS) is the agency responsible for issuing alerts about earthquakes felt throughout the world, primarily in states such as California, Alaska, Hawaii, and Texas, and other areas where seismic activity is common. This article provides an updated report on the earthquakes that occurred today, Tuesday, July 2, with information on the epicenter, magnitude, time, and affected areas. The report utilizes data from the USGS website and the interactive map “Latest Earthquakes” and the “ShakeAlert” system.
According to data collected from the USGS website, nearly 75% of the continental US territory, including Alaska and Hawaii, could experience a damaging earthquake sometime in the next century. This means that millions of residents are at risk of damage from catastrophic earthquakes, even in areas not traditionally associated with such events.
Earthquake in the US today, July 2, according to USGS live
Stay informed and learn how to prepare for the event of an earthquake. Below, you’ll find information on the latest earthquakes recorded today, Tuesday, July 2, 2024.
Why do earthquakes occur in California?
California is situated where two tectonic plates meet: the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. The Pacific Plate encompasses most of the Pacific Ocean floor and the California coast, while the North American Plate covers most of the North American continent and parts of the Atlantic Ocean floor.
The primary boundary between these two plates is the San Andreas Fault, which stretches over 650 miles long and extends to a depth of less than 10 miles. Numerous smaller faults, such as the Hayward (northern California) and San Jacinto (southern California), branch off and connect to the San Andreas Fault.
The Pacific Plate is moving northwestward past the North American Plate at a rate of about two inches per year. Sections of the San Andreas fault system accommodate this movement by constantly “slipping,” resulting in numerous small tremors and some moderate earthquakes.
Seismic zones in the United States, according to the USGS report
States most likely to experience tremors include Texas, California, Alaska, Utah, Virgin Islands, Hawaii, and others, as they are situated along the San Andreas Fault, a major geological fault in the country.
The USGS released its new report on seismic zones in the United States where there is a high probability of a strong earthquake. (Photo: USGS)
What should I do before, during and after an earthquake in the United States?
Here is a list of important actions to take to prepare for a strong earthquake in the United States or any other part of the world.
Before the earthquake in the United States
- Regularly inspect the infrastructure of your home.
- Install safety locks on cabinets and shelving.
- Store fragile items in secure locations.
- Keep a first aid kit readily available.
- Establish a designated safe meeting point for your family.
- Educate your family members on how to turn off the electricity, gas, and water taps.
- Create a list of emergency contact numbers, including doctors, police, and civil protection.
During the earthquake in the United States
- Stay away from windows, mirrors, and sharp objects that could fall.
- Seek shelter under a sturdy table or a door frame.
- Protect your head and neck with your arms.
- Avoid using elevators and use the stairs during the earthquake.
- Never run outside of a building when an earthquake is in progress.
After the earthquake in the United States
- Seek medical assistance for those with serious injuries.
- Provide first aid and emotional support to injured individuals.
- Use your mobile phone responsibly to avoid overloading the lines.
- Inspect your home for structural damage.
- Turn off taps to prevent potential leaks of electricity, water, or gas.
- Avoid lighting candles, matches, or anything that could start a fire.
USGS seismic hazard maps explained
Bibliography of earthquakes in the USA
United States Geological Survey (USGS) It is the agency responsible for issuing alerts about earthquakes felt throughout the world. USA; mainly in states such as California, Alaska, Hawaii, Texas; and other areas where seismic activities usually occur daily. In that line, I share with you the Report updated in real time today, Tuesday, July 2with data such as the epicenter, magnitude, exact time and areas that were affected by the earthquake that occurred in the last few hours, corroborated with the interactive map Lates Earthquakes and the ShakeAlert alert system.
That is to say, according to data collected from the USGS website, almost 75% of the continental US territory, as well as Alaska and Hawaii, could suffer a damaging earthquake at some point in the next century. This means that millions of its inhabitants are at risk of suffering damage from catastrophic earthquakes, even in areas that are not traditionally considered prone to events of this nature.
Earthquake in the US today, July 2, according to USGS live
Follow LIVE and find out how to be prepared for the arrival of an earthquake. Below, I leave you the information from the reports of the earthquakes. Latest tremors in the US today, Tuesday, July 2, 2024:
Why do earthquakes occur in California?
California is home to two tectonic plates: the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate. The Pacific Plate comprises most of the Pacific Ocean floor and the California coast, while the North American Plate comprises most of the North American continent and parts of the Atlantic Ocean floor.
The main boundary between these two plates is the San Andreas Fault, which is more than 650 miles long and extends to a depth of less than 10 miles. Many other smaller faults, such as the Hayward (northern California) and San Jacinto (southern California), branch off and join the San Andreas Fault.
Instead, the Pacific Plate is advancing northwestward past the North American Plate at a rate of about two inches per year. Parts of the San Andreas fault system accommodate this motion by constantly “slipping” that results in many small shocks and some moderate earthquakes.
Seismic zones in the United States, according to the USGS report
The states most likely to record tremors are Texas, California, Alaska, Utah, Virgin Islands, Hawaii, among othersbecause they are located along the San Andreas Fault, one of the main geological faults in the country.
The USGS released its new report on seismic zones in the United States where there is a high probability of a strong earthquake. (Photo: USGS)
What should I do before, during and after an earthquake in the United States?
I am sharing with you a useful list of good actions that you should take to be able to face a strong earthquake in the United States or any other country in the world. Put into practice the following safety recommendations that I will show you below:
Before the earthquake in the United States
- Constantly check your home’s infrastructure.
- Install security locks, cabinets and shelving.
- Store the most fragile objects in safe places.
- Always have a first aid kit.
- Find an optimal meeting point where there is enough security for your family.
- Educate your family members so that they can turn off the electricity, gas and water taps.
- Make a list of emergency numbers to contact doctors, police, civil protection, among others.
During the earthquake in the United States
- Stay away from windows, mirrors and sharp objects that could fall to the floor.
- Find shelter under a sturdy table or you can also put it under a door frame.
- Cover your head and neck with your arms.
- Avoid using elevators and take the stairs during the earthquake.
- Never run out of a building when an earthquake is in motion.
After the earthquake in the United States
- Seek medical help for people with serious injuries.
- Provides first aid and emotional support to injured people who need it.
- Do not use your mobile phone irresponsibly, this will help you avoid overloading the lines.
- Check your home for structural damage.
- Turn off the taps to avoid possible leaks of electricity, water or gas.
- Do not light candles, matches or any other item that could cause a fire.
USGS seismic hazard maps explained