A magnitude 4.1 earthquake near Malibu is part of an alarming trend of seismic activity in Southern California, seeing higher earthquake frequencies than in the last 65 years. In 2024, the region recorded 15 seismic sequences with magnitude-4 or greater quakes, surpassing previous years. Experts, however, warn that while these events highlight California's seismic risks, they do not indicate when the next major earthquake might occur, pointing out the complexities of earthquake prediction and the unpredictability of seismic patterns.
"Seismologists have spent decades trying to read the tea leaves to look for patterns... And that just didn't work out."
"Nobody has found patterns that are statistically meaningful before big earthquakes happen."
"The recent spate of quakes... should reinforce the threat posed by the state's notoriously active seismic landscape."
"In all of 2024, Southern California experienced 15 seismic sequences with at least one magnitude-4 or higher earthquake... surpassing the 13 seen in 1988."
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