Sky Valley, CA – A 3.2 magnitude earthquake struck the region just northeast of Joshua Tree National Park Friday afternoon. The tremor, which hit at 6:38 a.m. local time (13:38 UTC), was centered about 18 kilometers (11 miles) east-northeast of Thousand Palms, CA, and occurred at a depth of 7.3 kilometers (4.5 miles).
According to the Southern California Seismic Network, the earthquake was felt by residents in nearby communities, including Sky Valley, Desert Hot Springs, and portions of Riverside County. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded a moderate shaking intensity, though no significant damage or injuries have been reported.
The tremor comes as part of ongoing seismic activity in the region, a frequent occurrence in the seismically active area around the San Andreas Fault system. Earthquakes of this magnitude are typically felt as light shaking, but could potentially disrupt daily activities for a short time.
Residents and visitors in the affected areas are advised to remain aware of aftershocks, as they are common following such events. Emergency services in Riverside County have indicated that no major infrastructure issues have arisen from this quake.
