The Latest: 7.1 quake rattles Southern California

Jul 6, 2019

Authorities say a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that jolted California has caused injuries, sparked fires, closed roads and shaken ball games and theme parks

LOS ANGELES — The Latest on Southern California's strongest earthquake in 20 years (all times local):

10:30 p.m.

Authorities say a magnitude 7.1 earthquake that jolted California has caused injuries, sparked fires, shut roads and shaken ball games and theme parks.

However, authorities say there are no deaths or major building damage reported from the quake, which struck at 8:19 p.m. Friday.

It was centered about 150 miles from Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert near the town of Ridgecrest, which was still recovering from a 6.4-magnitude preshock that hit the region on Thursday.

There were reports of trailers burning at a mobile home, and State Route 178 in Kern County was closed by a rockslide and roadway damage.

But Kern County Fire Chief David Witt says it appears no buildings collapsed. He also says there have been a lot of ambulance calls but no reported fatalities.

___

9:50 p.m.

An earthquake rattled Dodger Stadium in the fourth inning of the team's game against the San Diego Padres.

The quake on Friday night happened when Dodgers second baseman Enriquè Hernàndez was batting. It didn't appear to affect him or Padres pitcher Eric Lauer.

However, it was obvious to viewers of the SportsNet LA broadcast when the TV picture bounced up and down.

The quake registered an initial magnitude of 6.9 to 7.1, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

There was no announcement by the stadium's public address announcer.

Some fans in the upper deck appeared to leave their seats and move to a concourse at the top of the stadium.

The press box lurched for about 20 seconds.

The quake occurred a day after a magnitude 6.4 quake hit in the Mojave Desert about 150 miles from Los Angeles.

___

9:40 p.m.

Authorities are now reporting injuries and damage from a big earthquake that was felt throughout Southern California and into Las Vegas and even Mexico.

The quake that hit at 8:19 p.m. was given a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 to 7.1, but the measurements were being calculated.

It followed Thursday's 6.4-mangitude quake that at the time was the largest Southern California quake in 20 years. Both were centered near Ridgecrest in the Mojave Desert.

Kern County fire officials reported "multiple injuries and multiple fires" without providing details. San Bernardino County firefighters reported cracked buildings and a minor injury.

___

8:30 p.m.

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.9 has jolted Southern California, but there are no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake hit at 8:19 p.m. Friday and was centered 11 miles from Ridgecrest, where a magnitude 6.4 quake struck on Thursday. The agency initially said the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1.

The quake was felt downtown as a rolling motion that seemed to last at least a half-minute. It was felt as far away as Las Vegas, and the USGS says it also was felt in Mexico.

If the preliminary magnitude is correct, it would be the largest Southern California quake in 20 years.

___

4 p.m.

Seismologists say there have been 1,700 aftershocks in the wake of the strongest earthquake to hit Southern California in 20 years but the chances of another large temblor are diminishing.

A magnitude 5.4 quake at 4:07 a.m. Friday is so far the strongest aftershock of Thursday's 6.4 quake, which struck in the Mojave Desert near the town of Ridgecrest.

Zachary Ross of the California Institute of Technology says the number of aftershocks might be slightly higher than average. He also says a quake of that size could continue producing aftershocks for years.

The quake caused some damage to buildings and roads in and around Ridgecrest.

However, seismologists say it's unlikely the quake will affect any fault lines away from the immediate area, such as the mighty San Andreas.

___

1:20 p.m.

The city of Los Angeles is planning to reduce the threshold for public notifications by its earthquake early warning app, but officials say it was in the works before Southern California's big earthquake Thursday.

The ShakeAlert LA app was designed to notify users of magnitudes of 5.0 or greater and when a separate intensity scale predicts potentially damaging shaking.

Robert de Groot of the U.S. Geological Survey says lowering the magnitude to 4.5 was already being worked on and had been discussed with LA as recently as a day before Thursday's magnitude 6.4 quake centered in the Mojave Desert.

The shaking intensity levels predicted for LA were below damaging levels, so an alert was not triggered.

Mayor's office spokeswoman Andrea Garcia also says the lower magnitude threshold has been in the planning stages and an update to the system is expected this month.

___

7:05 a.m.

A vigorous aftershock sequence is following the strongest earthquake to hit Southern California in 20 years.

A magnitude 5.4 quake at 4:07 a.m. Friday is so far the strongest aftershock of Thursday's magnitude 6.4 jolt, and was felt widely.

Seismologists had said there was an 80% probability of an aftershock of that strength.

Thursday's big quake struck in the Mojave Desert, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles, near the town of Ridgecrest, which suffered damage to buildings and roads.

___

9 p.m.

The strongest earthquake in 20 years shook a large swath of Southern California and parts of Nevada on the July 4th holiday, rattling nerves and causing injuries and damage in a town near the epicenter, followed by a swarm of ongoing aftershocks.

The 6.4 magnitude quake struck at 10:33 a.m. Thursday in the Mojave Desert, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles, near the town of Ridgecrest, California.

Kern County Fire Chief David Witt says multiple injuries and two house fires were reported in the town of 28,000. Emergency crews were also dealing with small vegetation fires, gas leaks and reports of cracked roads.

Witt says 15 patients were evacuated from the Ridgecrest Regional Hospital as a precaution and out of concern for aftershocks.

More News

Body and soul, between heaven and earth

Oct 27, 2026

Body and soul, between heaven and earth

All Souls’ Day could possibly be more than its traditional concept. We hope that we touch the people we cherish through prayer — somewhere far away. And we visit them where they have left their bodies. We bring flowers to where their bodies rest. And in silence and gratitude, we pause while reminiscing about our shared memories. Two in one But what if the body is in the soul and yet the soul is inside the body? You see, those who have had near-death experiences, those very souls who have stood between the heavenly and earthly realms, tell us it is so. Those who were in life-and-death situations leave their bodies and yet feel they are more embodied than ever. They are overcome with a lightness of being, moving at a speed that is faster than light. They have a glimpse of pure freedom and joy. They see the hospital room and their bodies from above and feel no pain. They are given an instant sense of clarity that their body was living inside a much larger field. And at the same time, they feel their soul was always inside their body — tucked into every breath. A relative who survived a near-fatal heart attack told me, “I was not inside my body. My body was inside me.” A contradiction, perhaps. But it was his truth. Our soul is inside the body. That is why a cut can make you feel bad and why sickness can cause one to feel helpless. This is also the reason why a hand held in yours is not only comforting to the touch but also stirs something much deeper inside of you. It is love, something unseen that touches the spirit. And your body is inside your soul. This is why, when you love someone, you feel larger than life. And why, when you grieve, you do not seem to fit inside your body of skin. It is clear that body and soul are interconnected. Beyond walking There are two kinds of walking. Walking with the body — muscle, heart, bone. You count your strides and sweat all the way up to 3,000 steps. The body needs to be trained to endure in order to get stronger. And there is walking with the soul — when you walk long enough that your mind becomes still, unmuddled by everyday stress. Your feet find a familiar rhythm. Your breath deepens. This is when your soul catches up and walks with you. You see, the first walk burns calories, while the second walk burns the illusion that you are alone. People who return from the threshold are made to go back. Their mission isn’t over. They never talk about it as a dimension that is far away. They know it as some place close by. It is the very breath inside you — and you inside the breath. On All Souls’ Day, try to walk both walks. Walk with your body to the cemetery. And keep walking with your soul. Walk until you feel that you have never left your dearly departed loved ones. Nor have they left you. You are still inside their love. And they are still inside you. Between here and the hereafter, there is not a wall. There is a path. And we are all walking it — body and soul. Affirmation: “Heaven is within me.” Luke 17:21, KJV: “The kingdom of God is within you.” Love and light.

UK hydration brand enters Asia through Philippine market

Oct 27, 2026

UK hydration brand enters Asia through Philippine market

UK hydration brand Vidrate has entered the Asian market through the Philippines, marking its first expansion into the region in partnership with CTC Group Philippines. The launch was celebrated at “Get Vidrated,” an event held at the Pool House of Grand Hyatt Manila that featured yoga, sound healing, recovery stations and product demonstrations. Sarah Hulton, British Ambassador to the Philippines and Palau, attended the event and highlighted the United Kingdom’s strengths in health, science and consumer-product innovation. She noted that British businesses and entrepreneurs are developing products that help people lead healthier, more active lives. Hulton described Vidrate’s Philippine launch as an example of British innovation meeting Philippine entrepreneurship and market expertise. She also underscored the growing commercial relationship between the two countries and encouraged local retailers, distributors, wellness advocates and fitness businesses to explore opportunities with the brand. Founded by Nick Hird and Rob Bennett, Vidrate produces powdered hydration products in sachets that combine flavor, electrolytes, fiber and added vitamins. Its Everyday Hydration range contains zero sugar, natural ingredients and added vitamins C and B12. The company was ranked 28th nationally in “The Sunday Times 100” 2026, which recognizes the United Kingdom’s fastest-growing private companies. Its entry into the Philippines marks a step in its international expansion, with co-founder Hird looking to introduce the brand’s everyday hydration products to consumers in new markets. For CTC Group Philippines, the launch reflects its work in helping international brands establish a presence in the local market. The international business group operates in 12 countries, with a strong focus on life sciences, and supports companies through market expertise, regulatory awareness, strategic partnerships and local execution. CTC Group said it prioritizes responsible commercialization by assessing scientific evidence, substantiating product claims and complying with Philippine Food and Drug Administration requirements and other applicable regulatory standards. The company also considers whether products address relevant consumer and community needs, beyond their commercial potential. As the group continues to work with international companies across its network, its stated focus remains on connecting global innovation with local markets through scientific credibility, regulatory responsibility and strategic brand development.