Over the past two weeks, more than 430 tremors rocked parts of California and Nevada. This part of the United States sees regular seismic activity, but this amount is an unusually high number. Most of the tremors were mini-quakes but a few were greater than magnitude 3.0.
This area, referred to as the Inland Empire, covers eastern Los Angeles to the Mojave Dessert. Seismologist Robert Graves with the U.S. Geological Survey said, “This activity is probably related just to the ongoing tectonic stress that builds up in Southern California and is being relieved on some very small fault structures that do not reach the surface.”
Ken Creager, a University of Washington professor, said that the tremors are “indications of a slow-slip event.” In a slow-slip movement a tectonic plate temporarily moves backward. These movements take place approximately every 14 months and cause a series of small quakes. “Every time we have one of these slow-slip events, it adds stress to where the big one is going to happen,” Creager said. “So, there is some reason to think that the timing may be such that the big one would happen during one of these slow-slip events.”
For decades we have been warned that there could be an earthquake that destroys California, causing large parts of the state to fall into the ocean. To that end, California is working to expand their early earthquake warning system that could give residents vital minutes to prepare for disaster. While many are used to the warnings and see them as a nuisance, it is important to be prepared and immediately heed them. Certain Bible passages come to mind as we hear of these events.
Relevant Bible Passages
Luke 21:11 teaches us as the end times approach “great earthquakes shall be in divers places … and fearful sights and signs shall there be from heaven” (KJV). Tremendous earthquakes are described in the book of Revelation, many describing the coming judgement of God. Revelation 16:18, 20 describes “a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake … and every island fled away, and the mountains were not found” (KJV). With these prophecies in mind, we must pray that these recent, numerous seismic events will alert people to the eventual return of Jesus Christ. Pray that the Gospel will spread and those who still need to hear the Good News will do so!