Canada Issues Travel Warning After Earthquakes Hit California

Last week, the Canadian government issued a travel warning for the U.S. following a series of earthquakes that struck the Searles Valley in California. Classified under “natural disasters and climate,” the advisory was originally issued on July 6, and is still in place.

Mere days after a 5.1 magnitude earthquake shook Southern California last week, another, more powerful earthquake measuring a magnitude of 7.1 struck on July 5, and could be felt as far as Sacramento to Las Vegas and Mexico. The most recent quake was the largest felt in the area in at least 20 years, and was strong enough to cause damage to buildings, start fires, and impact the roads.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the earthquake, “occurred as the result of shallow strike slip faulting in the crust of the North America plate.” The agency also states that the earthquake took place roughly 34 hours after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck the same region in eastern California.

Seismologists now warn that large aftershocks could be expected to continue for days, if not weeks. And while the risk level for the U.S. has not changed, in response to the tremors, the Canadian government has updated its travel advisory for the area.

The advisory now states that people who are in the affected area should monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities. In addition, it notes that, “Earthquakes pose a risk in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Washington state.”