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A light magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck 5km NNE of Brawley, United States on Monday, August 27, 2012 at 04:41:37 AM UTC. This shallow crustal event (4.2 km depth) released energy equivalent to approximately 374 tons of TNT. Here is the verified CI telemetry, live epicenter map, and ground shaking assessment.
(5km NNE of)4.9MW
Light Seismic Class
4.2km
Crustal Layer
33.021° N, 115.519° W
GPS Coordinates
374 tons
TNT Equivalent Power
CI
USGS Real-time Feed
A magnitude 4.9 event is classified as a light earthquake. Noticeable shaking of indoor objects and rattling doors/windows. Generally causes none to slight non-structural damage in older buildings.
Considerable damage in ordinary buildings with partial collapse; heavy furniture overturned.
Felt only by a few persons at rest, especially on upper floors.
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Earthquake strength is measured on a logarithmic scale. Compare this event with the full seismic scale:
Because seismic scales are logarithmic, each whole integer increase represents:
United States's seismicity is fundamentally governed by its tectonic setting: Pacific Plate sliding past North American Plate along San Andreas; Juan de Fuca subducting along Cascadia; Pacific subduction along the Aleutian Trench. Major regional fault structures include San Andreas Fault System, Cascadia Subduction Zone, Aleutian Megathrust, Hayward Fault, New Madrid Seismic Zone.
Originating at a depth of 4.2 km (Earth's Crust (0–70 km)), this rupture occurred occurred within the brittle upper crust. shallow earthquakes produce the highest peak ground acceleration and the sharpest surface shaking.
Seismologists note that minor aftershocks remain common in the 24 to 48 hours following tremors of magnitude 4.9. According to statistical seismic models, there is roughly a 5% probability of a subsequent event of equal or greater strength occurring in the same fault zone. Residents in United States are advised to check living spaces for unsecured items.
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