Mt Whitney Zone Forums General Discussion Earthquake -- Lone Pine / Owens Valley 6-24-2020

Just felt it, in Fresno, mild shaking. But the USGS Real-Time Interactive Earthquake map initially shows 5.8, centered in the middle of the Owens Lake (dry) lake bed. 10:40 AM, Pacific Daylight Time.

That's a big one! I hope people in Lone Pine are ok.

The Owens Lake bed is deep sediments -- the surface there was likely rolling like the ocean. I am hopeful Whitney Portal did not get hit too badly, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Whitney Portal Road is covered with lots of rocks coming down from above.

Edit:
Pictures posted here:  Earthquake Pictures 6-24-2020

and here:  Pics of the quake from above the Whitney Zone

Apparently 3 KM deep. Felt very mild up in Bishop, with gentle swaying.

A friend in Lone Pine reports most everything is okay so far. There was unconfirmed chatter on the scanner about rockfall around Whitney Portal.

Wasn't there another smaller quake around Lone Pine earlier in the week?

The interactive map shows there were 11 (yellow dots) yesterday or the day before -- precursors to today's.

Pretty good jolt for a M5.8. PGA near the epicenter was about 0.4g, about 0.2g in Lone Pine, about 0.05g in the Portal area. This video shows rockslides in several canyons. LA Times reports Portal Rd is closed and campground evacuated.

LA Times Quake Report

Rockslide clouds in the Eastern Canyons

There was a 4.6 earlier in the week, now called a foreshock to today’s quake. Biggest Saharan dust cloud In 50 years over the Caribbean area, soon to reach the SE US, drastically affecting air quality. That on top of coronavirus numbers climbing... Can’t catch a break.

But wait... there's more! A meteor approaching earth and a record popping 100-deg day in the Arctic just in time for the hurricane season. And for just shipping and handling, we'll send a swarm of Locusts! So much winning, I can barely stand it.

Wow. What a landing.

Too bad they can't possibly leave it propped against the tree. It's just asking for someone to stand under (to take a selfie) and then get flattened like a pancake when the tree finally gives way.

They'll probably have to remotely blow up or cut the tree to allow the boulder to settle onto the ground.

Are you volunteering to cut that tree, Jim? I'll hold your beer for ya.

Some updates here at the Inyo Sheriff's Facebook

Inyo SAR got sent to check for injured hikers, found none. There was significant continued rockfall through the afternoon between Lone Pine Lake and Outpost Camp, some close to reaching the trail.

RIP favorite Portal campsite! The rock is near communal bench, the sites closer to bathroom and creek are wiped out - confirmed by store owners. A large one in the lot below bounced, leaving a hole in the lot and landing passed the toilets. Can't believe no one was hurt in the multiple slides around the area... people barely missed the road damage out by Cottonwood and now there's a large crack, so expect that road to be closed.

Which sites were they? Do you know the numbers? This is horrible. We have reservations at the WP Campground for Friday to Monday this week..

This is the backpacker camp by the parking, the regular campground is fine... though unknown if there was trail damage as there were a lot of small slides in several places, but haven't heard that from any hikers/climbers that came out.

Wow! Heard that the road is closed at this point...

We have reservations for tonight and tomorrow at portal and then backpacking permit to the Whitney.
When I called the portal campground(‭+1 (760) 937-6070‬), the guy says campground is open and they will let you come even if the gate is closed or there is some alternate route.
I been calling Inyo National FS Since morning but Unable to talk to anyone.

heh? No main trail permits have been allowed for Whitney this season at all, not day nor overnight except for hikers exiting from the other side. Where is your permit for? I'd call until I get through.

On Tuesday we received permits for backpacking on the main trail from 06/27 to 06/30.
Not only us, few other people also got permits starting from 27th

Everyone I heard from had theirs canceled and nothing was coming through - ie. booked bu then canceled afterward.

Did you read the PR that has it additionally closed now due to the slides?

http://www.whitneyzone.com/wz/ubbthreads.php/topics/57443/whitney-closed-until-further-notice#Post5

Keep calling Inyo, you'll get through eventually.