Earthquake: More than 50 aftershocks from California desert temblor

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There have been more than 50 aftershocks from a sharp earthquake that struck the Southern California desert Monday.

Although the U.S. Geological Survey initially reported three separate strong quakes, officials told The Times there was one 4.7 temblor that sensors initially counted as three quakes. All the aftershocks were significantly smaller, and no damage was been reported.

“It was a pretty good shake up here,” said Capt. Daniel Heiser of the Riverside County Fire Department. He said firefighters had not received any reports of damage but they are driving through the community to assess the damage firsthand. The temblor occurred at 9:55 a.m.

People reported feeling the quake as away as Canoga Park, 130 miles from the epicenter, and Sequoia National Park, 250 miles away. Two people in Tijuana also reported to the USGS that they felt it.

The epicenter was about seven and a half miles underground and was about 16 miles southwest of Palm Desert. Dozens of aftershocks have been listed for the area.

The next-largest quake in that area was a 5.6 in 1980, according to the USGS website.

In Los Angeles, police officials said there were no reports of damage.

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