A series of earthquakes rattled the Coso volcanic field in California on Friday (August 21), prompting scientists to closely monitor the area for any signs of volcanic activity. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), seven tremors were detected near Coso Junction by Friday afternoon, with the strongest registering a magnitude of 3.4 at 10:26 a.m. PT.
The Coso volcanic field, located about 100 miles northeast of Bakersfield, is not a single mountain but a 150-square-mile cluster of volcanic features powered by a large zone of underground magma. The area contains dozens of vents and domes, as well as active geothermal fields, fumaroles, and hot springs.
Recent earthquake activity at Coso is not unusual. The region has experienced swarms before, often as distant aftershocks triggered by larger earthquakes in the surrounding area. Large tremors, such as the magnitude 7.1 Ridgecrest earthquake in 2019, have previously set off hundreds of smaller quakes at Coso…