An earthquake swarm strikes the Gulf of California, Baja California

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A swarm of at least four large earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.9 has struck the Gulf of California near Baja California. Getty Images/iStockphoto

The US Geological Survey reports that a swarm of at least four earthquakes measuring 4.9 magnitude have rocked the Gulf of California near Baja California.

Other earthquakes in the swarm early Wednesday, May 10, ranged from magnitude 4.6 to 4.9, according to the USGS.

The USGS reported that a two-hour series of earthquakes, including the initial 4.9-magnitude quake, began at 12:05 a.m. The most recent earthquake occurred at 2:28 am

Only a few people reported feeling the earthquake in the USGS.

The quakes struck the ocean 30 miles southwest of Campo Pesquero el Colorado, a village in the Mexican state of Sinaloa.

What do you know about earthquakes

Magnitude measures the energy released by the earthquake’s source, says the USGS. It replaces the old Richter scale.

Earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 to 5.4 are often felt but rarely cause severe damage, according to Michigan Tech. Earthquakes of less than 2.5 magnitude are rarely felt by most people.

The rapid and sudden shaking of an earthquake can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. It can occur anywhere, but it’s most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

If an earthquake occurs, it is best to protect yourself immediately. Here are some tips from the experts:

If you’re in a car: stop and stop. Set the parking brake.

If you are in bed: turn face down and cover your head with a pillow.

If you are outside: stay away from buildings. Don’t go inside.

If indoors: stay and don’t run outdoors. Stay away from doorways.

Officials say the best way to protect yourself during an earthquake is to fall, cover and hold on.

Wherever you are, get on your hands and knees and hold on to something sturdy, the officials say. “If you use a wheelchair or seat walker, make sure your wheels are locked and you stay seated until the shaking stops.”

Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible. If no shelter is available, crawl to an interior wall away from windows.

Once seated under the table, the officials say you must hold in one hand and be ready to move with it.

“There can be serious risks after an earthquake, such as building damage, gas and water line leaks, or power line failure,” officials say. They expected aftershocks to follow the main shock of an earthquake. Be prepared to drop, cover and stop if you feel an aftershock.”

Don Sweeney has been a California newspaper reporter and editor for over 25 years. He has been a real-time correspondent on The Sacramento Bee since 2016.

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