The magnitude 3.1 temblor struck just before midnight, at 11:55 p.m., with an epicenter near Idyllwild. No damage or injuries were reported in the temblor.

The quake was about 9 miles deep, about 6.2 miles from Idyllwild, 8 miles from Hemet, and 6.8 miles southeast of Valle Vista.

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The largest was reported late Thursday night near Aguanga, just east of Temecula. The magnitude 3.1 quake was reported at 11:45 p.m.

Then at 8:18 a.m. Friday, a magnitude 2.5 temblor was reported about 65 miles to the north near the San Bernardino County city of Loma Linda.

The larger jolt was felt across Southern California, according to reporting into the USGS.

The quakes follow two that struck the Lake Elsinore area Thursday morning. The first temblor was reported at 9:39 a.m. about 3.7 miles west of Lake Elsinore, according to the USGS. It was initially reported by the agency as a magnitude 4.0, then 3.9 before being confirmed as 3.6.

A magnitude 3.0 quake followed in the same area one minute later.

Both temblors were felt across Southern California, according to the USGS.

The two quakes occurred near the Elsinore Fault Zone, though it’s unclear what caused the activity. The fault is part of the trilateral split of the San Andreas fault system and is one of the largest in Southern California.

On Tuesday and Wednesday quakes rattled the desert area, with the largest registering a magnitude 3.4.

The Inland Empire quakes follow a magnitude 4.4 temblor that hit at 12:20 p.m. Monday near Highland Park in Los Angeles.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from any of the earthquakes.

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A second report was later issued by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), which listed it as a magnitude 3.4 earthquake as well.

Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake should not have caused any significant damage, but was probably felt by many people as light vibration in the area of the epicenter.

Weak shaking might have been felt in Indio Hills (pop. 970) located 8 miles from the epicenter.

Other towns or cities near the epicenter where the quake might have been felt as very weak shaking include Indio (pop. 87,500) located 9 miles from the epicenter, Coachella (pop. 44,600) 10 miles away, La Quinta (pop. 40,500) 16 miles away, Palm Desert (pop. 51,900) 18 miles away, Rancho Mirage (pop. 18,100) 19 miles away, Cathedral City (pop. 53,800) 22 miles away, and Twentynine Palms (pop. 26,000) 23 miles away.

EARTHQUAKEMONITOR • Contributed

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Theoretical physicist Michio Kaku, a professor at the City College of New York has warned that California is overdue a catastrophic earthquake unlike any seismic activity seen in recent years. The question remains, will a big earthquake hit California? If you live in California, you have been warned that the Big One is coming, a powerful earthquake of up to magnitude eight is headed for the state and perhaps will tear through southern California like the magnitude 7.0 quake that hit in 1857 and ruptured some 225 miles of the San Andreas Fault.  So while this part of the San Andreas Fault could be overdue for a large earthquake, it’s also possible it could be decades before the Big One hits.  Of the identified gaps between earthquakes, three took longer than 160 years to strike this part of the San Andreas again. 

These forecasts emanate from seismologists that have made their life’s work studying the behavior of the planet earth, using the most modern and updated equipment.  Their predictions are to be taken seriously and we need to prepare for a disaster.

Start out by obtaining a list of basic items that are required in the event of an emergency.  Sit down with your family and review these items and the most practical manner in which you can address them so that everyone is on the same page.  It does no good to have one member of the family unilaterally fill out a list if nobody else participates in this effort.  Every family has different needs so remember that a pre-printed list is just a guide.

Water is the most basic resource needed primarily for drinking and cooking, but allowing water to sit for long periods of time waiting for the Big One when the time comes, the water will no longer be fit to drink.  Stop drinking tap water and rather have on hand at least 5 five-gallon bottles that will be recirculating as you drink from them which will guarantee that you will always have fresh drinking water. 

Remember that preparing for any disaster has to be done as a family or group because survival may depend on everyone playing an active part. Figure out what is important to you and act upon it. Talk about your options in packing and transporting these emergency items. Identify which members of the family or group are to be responsible for what, from the youngest to the oldest. Remember that there may be no public emergency services available for some time and that you will be on your own. Stay as close to your familiar surroundings as safely feasible and remember not to panic.

Natural disasters occur worldwide and people perish or survive depending on their levels of development, infrastructure and preparation. Stay safe.

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When the earthquake was over, I checked for damage and found none.
The following morning, I met with some friends for breakfast, and one of them asked the rest of us if we carried survival kits in our cars. He has prepared well, with three days of supplies in each of his vehicles, and about three months of supplies at his home. I admitted that I had not prepared any kits, and told him that in case of a significant disaster, my plan was to walk to his house and share from his bounty. Of course, I’d have to walk about 50 miles, providing there was a way to get there. A little impractical, so it made me think about the need to prepare, although I haven’t started yet.

Towards the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus took his disciples to the Mount of Olives to teach them. The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 24, records that the disciples asked Jesus what signs would indicate his coming again and the close of the age (vs. 3). He responded in part by saying, “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places” (vs. 7), but added that, “All these are but the beginning of the birth pains” (vs. 8). Earthquakes, along with famines and wars, frequently occur all around the world. There is nothing unusual about these events. Yet they serve as reminders to us that we need to be prepared to meet Jesus face to face at any moment.

We don’t need anyone to remind us that life is short and we are fragile as humans.
Many people prepare for the end of their lives by creating wills and trusts, buying life insurance or long term care insurance, and making funeral preparations in advance.
What’s infinitely more important is preparing for the next life. God has made some promises about the quality of life after death, but there are also some conditions to enter into that new dimension in his presence. Just like I need to prepare in advance for a disaster, I hope you’ll make careful preparations for spending eternity with God.

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