Swarm of earthquakes rattle Southern California coast

A series of small earthquakes, the strongest registering 3.6 in magnitude, struck in waters off Catalina Island Sunday.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey , the first quake, a magnitude 3.1, struck at 4:11 p.m. and was followed by a M2.5 aftershock just four minutes later about 34 miles south southwest of Dana Point and San Clemente and nearly 29 miles off Catalina.

The temblor struck at a depth of nearly 3.5 miles or 5.5 kilometers, the USGS reported.

At 5:32 p.m., the third quake, a 3.6, struck in roughly the same location.

There were no immediate reports of significant damage or injuries.

What to do in an earthquake

During an earthquake, experts say knowing the proper steps to protect yourself and minimize injury is crucial. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) provides detailed guidelines on what to do during such events. Here are the key points:

Drop, Cover, and Hold On:

Drop: Immediately drop down onto your hands and knees. This position prevents you from being knocked over and allows you to stay low and crawl to safety if necessary.

Cover: Use one arm to protect your head and neck, and if possible, take shelter under a sturdy table or desk. If no shelter is available, get down next to an interior wall away from windows. Stay on your knees and bend over to protect vital organs. Seismologist warns of increasing earthquake activity in Southern California

Hold On: Hold on to your shelter until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if it shifts.

Thousands of earthquakes are recorded in California yearly, but the vast majority are incredibly minor. Several hundred reach a magnitude of 3.0, and only about 15 to 20 are greater than magnitude 4.0, according to the USGS .

In North America, only Alaska records more quakes per year than California.

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