Credit Inside the MagicThree separate earthquakes shook the ground and rattled residents near the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, on Thursday, begging the question: What are the chances something like that could happen again?
Apparently, the answer is that the chances are very good for such an occurrence.
Good Things Come in Threes. But So Do Bad Things.
Omne trium perfectum is a saying comprised of three Latin words that translate to “Everything that comes in threes is perfect.” From very early on, we’re wired to look for things in threes. Just think Goldilocks and the Three Bears, “Rock, paper, scissors,” and “Third time’s the charm.”
The list goes on: a three-piece suit, Three Coins in a Fountain, a three-ring circus, a three-legged race, and the genie always asks, “What are your three wishes?” Even the United States Constitution features a three-part promise–that of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
But we can think of several things we wouldn’t want to experience if they were to arrive three at a time—or in a three-part series. Some people believe that bad things happen in waves of three, whether those things are deaths, accidents, or other forms of misfortune.
No matter which mindset you ascribe to, the fact is that last Thursday, three separate earthquakes occurred near the Disneyland Resort, located in Southern California.
A Trio of Earthquakes Strikes
The trio struck in the area near Newport Beach, California, and Costa Mesa, California, on Thursday afternoon and evening.
The first quake occurred at 4:52 p.m. along the Newport Beach-Costa Mesa border and measured 3.6 on the Richter Scale. Then, a magnitude 3.4 aftershock struck at 5:04 p.m., with an epicenter in Upper Newport Bay. A foreshock to Thursday’s earthquakes happened on Wednesday at 1:46 p.m. underneath Newport Beach’s Mariners Park and measured 2.8 on the Richter Scale. Its epicenter was located in Costa Mesa.
Isolated Event or Regular Occurrence?
Such an event is neither isolated nor necessarily a regular occurrence, according to one website dedicated to the study of the probability of multiple quakes in one day. In fact, the chances of multiple serious earthquakes occurring all in one day are very likely–at least more likely than one might think:
The probability of three major earthquakes (over 7.0 in richter scale) happening on the same date is not as low as you would think. It is actually about 25% likely to happen. This is the same probability as getting two consecutive “heads” when tossing a coin twice.
Though it’s not something that residents in these areas hope to experience, it’s not an uncommon occurrence. As for the event on Thursday, residents in the area had a lot to say about what they experienced that day, but Disneyland Resort appeared to resume and maintain normal operations despite the quakes:
Despite the brief disruption caused by the earthquake, the park managed to resume normal operations shortly after ensuring that all rides and attractions were thoroughly inspected for any damage. The resilience exhibited by both the staff and guests in the face of adversity highlighted the community spirit that thrives within Disneyland.
You can read more about the residents’ experiences by clicking here.