Is an earthquake a precursor to a "bigger one"?

Question

i live in l.a. and so we had that 5.something quake which wasn't much but i'm wondering since we haven't had a big one for awhile if one will hit soon after this?

Answer 1

you see after this 5. something earthquake  it released pressure from the fault so the "BIG ONE" won't be as big

Answer 2

You live by a fault. You will pay for any default.

Answer 3

I've heard that an earthquake like the one yesterday is followed by a bigger one about 5% of the time, but that falls off rapidly the longer it's been since the quake.  This quake would do little to relieve stress on the fault.

Answer 4

sure sometime within the next 30 years we're supposed to have the "big one" but they haven't narrowed it down any further, at least thats what the scientists are saying.

Answer 5

usually when an earth quake hits, another one will occur shortly after. this quake is known as the after shock. But its only half the power. and less dangerous. But another large earth quake happening after a smaller earth quake is and 1 in 7 chance.

Answer 6

I think your guess is as good as anyones!

My advice is to be ready, because you know it could happen, it is just  matter of when.

My daughter lives in an earthquake prone area like you  do and she has a suit care with all the important papers, etc. by the door. You just never know! I live in a flood and hurricane prone area and I have a plastic case with all the important information in it! I really want to put everything on a CD of flash drive (although I don't think they are water proof)  so I don't need to worry about carrying anything. If I were you, I would also have cash on hand. These are things you don't want to have to worry about after something like that happens. Frankly, I think everyone should have things ready because you never know when a natural or man made disaster will occur. I don't think you should worry or panic about something happening; just be prepared!

Here is a map of recent quakes in your area:

http://quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/

This is a link to the lit of quakes with relevant information:

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/shak...

This is the first part of an article that attempts to answer your question: Big Quake "Guaranteed" to Hit California by 2037

Alicia Chang, AP Science Writer, in Los Angeles

Associated Press

April 14, 2008

California faces an almost certain risk of being rocked by a strong earthquake by 2037, according to the first statewide temblor forecast, released today.

New calculations reveal there is a 99.7 percent chance a magnitude 6.7 quake or larger will strike in the next 30 years.

You can read the rest if you want at:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/...

Answer 7

Some times. I sensed the very feeble earthquake on 24th July 2005 at 3.30 pm with the use of my simple earthquake alarm.After 6 hours a major earth quake of Richter scale 7.6 struck at the place called Andaman.The place is about 1400 k/m from our city. But nothing is predictable.

Answer 8

There's no way of predicting earthquakes sorry.

But i hope not for you:)

xo