Quake Alert Issued For Southern California

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — Official say Southern California residents should remain on heightened alert until Tuesday for the increased possibility of a major earthquake.

The Orange County Register reports Saturday (http://bit.ly/2deTAxO) the warning comes after a series of small temblors deep under the Salton Sea, which is located on the 800-mile-long San Andreas fault.

The Governor's Office of Emergency Services issued the warning after 142 temblors hit starting Monday near Bombay Beach at the southern end of the fault.

The U.S. Geological Survey says they ranged in strength from a magnitude of 1.4 to 4.3.

The Governor's Office of Emergency Services says scientists estimate the probability of a quake with a magnitude of 7.0 or higher on the southern San Andreas fault being triggered is between 1 in 3,000 and 1 in 100.

It says that heightened probability will last through Tuesday with the odds decreasing over time.