Imperial County Endures 300-Quake Swarm, Strongest Tremor Hits 4.7

9 articles · Updated · Arizona's Family · May 12

Nearly 300 earthquakes struck Imperial County over seven days, keeping Southern California and southwest Arizona on alert Monday after the strongest tremor reached magnitude 4.7.
Brawley residents reported power outages, broken glass, items thrown from store shelves and apartment damage including cracked walls and broken pipes that forced some neighbors to evacuate.
Arizona State University professor Ramon Arrowsmith said the swarm is centered beneath Brawley, where movement along the Imperial and San Andreas fault systems drives frequent seismic activity.
Arrowsmith said swarms in the area can last up to two weeks and that this episode is considered fairly normal, not a clear sign that a major earthquake is imminent.

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