3.0 earthquake near Borrego Springs causes brief, mild shaking

A 3.0 magnitude earthquake hit 6 miles south-southwest of Borrego Springs at 8:04 a.m. Friday, causing brief, mild shaking in parts of northern San Diego County, according to the US Geological Survey.

The quake originated 11.8 km below the Earth’s surface, not far from the San Jacinto Fault, one of the most active seismic networks in Southern California.

The fault zone is capable of producing earthquakes greater than 7.0. But scientists note that small earthquakes like the one near Borrego Springs are rarely the precursor to a much larger event.