Earth quakes in Los Angeles and California followed by series of after shocks

After Southern California experienced its most powerful earthquake in decades on Independence Day, an even stronger temblor shook the region late Friday.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit 11 miles north-northeast of Ridgecrest, California, shortly after 8 p.m. PDT. Hundreds of aftershocks have followed this powerful earthquake.

This is the region’s largest earthquake in 20 years. There have been only 12 other earthquakes in California with a magnitude over 7.0 since 1857.

Shaking was felt in much of central and Southern California, southern Nevada and as far south as Mexico, according to the USGS.

Multiple structure fires were reported in Ridgecrest, mainly as a result of gas leaks or gas line breaks, according to Mark Ghillarducci, director of the California Office of Emergency Services.