United States Geological Survey scientists in Menlo Park are examining a 5.1 magnitude earthquake that recently rocked Southern California.
Scientists said they are studying Friday's La Habra temblor to learn more about how the earth moves, with hopes of gaining information that may help better predict Bay Area quakes.
"For the Bay Area, based on our analysis, by 2036 there is a 63 percent chance or two out of three possibility we will get a 6.7 quake or larger along one of the major faults in the middle of the Bay Area," said David Schwartz, an earthquake scientist with the USGS.
The Bay Area is home to many faults, including the Calaveras, San Andreas, Hayward and San Gregorio faults.
"When we have a 5 magnitude quake or higher, we send out an alert that there is a 5 to 10 percent probability that it will be followed by a larger quake based on historical statistics of quakes in California," Schwartz said.
There have been more than 190 aftershocks since the La Habra quake, which is higher than most, according to Schwartz.
The La Habra earthquake has motivated some Bay Area residents to double check their own emergency kits.
"If there is one I've got food stored up and my wife and I have worked out signals for contacting each other, so we are ready as we can be," San Carlos-resident Lewis Connor said.
