California earthquakes create giant cracks in the desert

Satellite imagery records a crack that extends over the previously contained water area, causing some of the water to be absorbed.

Satellite images provided by Planet Labs on July 8 showed that the 7.1-magnitude earthquake that shook the Ridgecrest city in the southern California desert region last week changed the region's topography. A giant crack appeared on the area that seemed to contain water earlier in the desert .

Cracks formed in the desert in California, USA after the 7.1-magnitude earthquake on July 5.(Photo: CNN).

The image of desert erosion shows a part of the water has been sucked clean. However, satellite imagery is not the only evidence that the terrain of the area has been altered by earthquakes. A highway is deactivated after the tremors cause it to break and sections are moved.

Southern California suffered two earthquakes of 6.4 and 7.1 degrees in two consecutive days 4 and 5/7. Several hours after the 7.1-degree earthquake in Ridgecrest, scientists recorded more than 600 aftershocks. This is the strongest earthquake in this state in the last 20 years.

The seismologist at the Califorina Institute of Technology and former scientific adviser of the US Geological Survey Lucy Jones said there is a 10% chance of another 7-degree earthquake in the next few weeks.

US Geological Survey technicians examined cracks on the National Highway 178 in California on July 6.(Photo: AFP).

Governor Gavin Newson on July 6 declared a state of emergency in the state of California, and demanded that President Donald Trump declare a state of emergency to open the federal budget to support affected people. The US Navy China Lake weapons test at Ridgecrest closed after the earthquakes. Employees without important duties were evacuated from the base due to infrastructure concerns.

1. California suffered the strongest earthquake of two decades in the national day