Earthquake For California Desert by September?

A state earthquake council has given a qualified endorsement to a prediction by a group of scientists who believe that a temblor of magnitude 6.4 or greater will occur in the Southern California desert sometime in the next five months.

The scientists piqued interest after they forecast the magnitude-6.5 San Simeon quake in December and the magnitude-8.1 quake last year off Japan's Hokkaido island. In both cases, the group set wide parameters in place and time.

The team bases its predictions on long chains of small earthquakes recorded in the area.

The team of scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles, predicts that a quake will occur within a 12,000-square-mile area east of Los Angeles by Sept. 5. The zone includes a large swath of the Mojave Desert, the Coachella Valley, the Imperial Valley and eastern San Diego County.

Emergency officials in Victorville said last month they were aware of the prediction and generally advise residents to be prepared for any disaster.

Basic preparedness would include a 72-hour survival kit with necessities, such as water, food, clothing, blankets, a flashlight, a radio and batteries.

An evacuation plan, important phone numbers and a list of places to go are also suggested.