1987 Superstition Hills earthquakes

The first shock occurred at 5:53 pm along a previously undetected north-east striking structure. It was associated with left-lateral (sinistral) fault rupture and had a maximum offset of 12.5 cm. The epicenter was located in a sparsely populated area 22.5 km north of Westmorland.[3]

A USGS ShakeMap for the November 24 main shock.

The second main shock was larger and it was caused by movement on the Superstition Hills and Superstition Mountain faults, which are part of the San Jacinto Fault Zone, along which ground rupture was observed.[4] This event occurred at 5:16 am, nearly 12 hours later and centered 9.7 km southwest of the first quake. Right-lateral (dextral) rupture that was seen for 27 km. A maximum of 65 cm of dextral offset was measured on December 2, 1987.[3]

The first earthquake forced the closure of a runway at the Naval Air Facility, El Centro but no damage was found after inspection.[5] Telephone services were affected because the earthquake had destroyed some lines. The shaking triggered an "unusual event" declaration at the San Onofre nuclear plant, but the facility was unaffected.

Damage was reported at El Centro, Imperial and Westmorland. Fallen chimneys, pipes, and windows were seen in properties. Some roads needed to be replaced because they were offset or cracked from liquefaction. About 40 mobile homes were wrenched from their stands. The Southern California Irrigation District estimated $600,000 to $750,000 worth of damage to canal facilities.[6] The initial earthquake resulted in minor buckling of the canal concrete reinforce while the second shock collapsed many of the concrete.[6] In Calexico, the wall of a furniture store collapsed on automobiles, and in El Centro, another brick wall fell onto a car. Many homes and businesses lost power following the earthquake. Fifty people were injured in Imperial County. California 86 between Westmorland and El Centro was damaged and closed off. California 98 was closed at Ocotillo at the junction with Interstate 8 after a road buckled. The entry station between Mexicali and Calexico was closed for damage inspection.[7]

Tremors were felt but there was no damage. Los Angeles County fire dispatcher reported calls from residents asking if there had been an earthquake.[5] Many people were frightened by the earthquake, in the wake of the Whittier Narrows quake two months earlier. In Orange County, people started stoking up in survival appliances such as water purification tablets and water bottles for their earthquake preparedness kits. The California Department of Transportation began inspecting freeways for possible damage.[7] This region experienced a deadly earthquake that killed eight on October 1 the same year.

The first event struck while city councils were having a conference on the 12th floor, shaking caused some turmoil in the room.[5] The San Diego Fire Department reported minor cracks to five of their stations.[7]

Forty-four were injured in Mexico. The injuries included broken bones, sprains, cuts, and some heart attacks. In Mexicali, hundreds evacuated from buildings, and 35 were damaged, including several hospitals.[7] Structural damage and fires were reported.[8] Two people, a woman and her child were killed as they were fleeing a factory and was struck by an oncoming vehicle.