The two earthquakes that struck Southern California late last week opened fault lines on Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, USNI reported Tuesday.
The major weapons station, a key Navy research and development site for aviation and weapons systems testing, remained evacuated except for mission-essential personnel, according to the USNI report.
The installation has been remained “not mission capable until further notice” as crews have worked to inspect facilities at the sprawling complex, the report states.
Since Saturday base officials have reported few details about impacts to the installation. China Lake officials have provided only limited public updates on the installation’s official Facebook page.
China Lake officials posted on Facebook Monday that basic services such as water and power have been restored in most areas of the base. Officials also noted that the Navy Exchange planned to reopen Tuesday, so mission-essential personnel could get supplies and other items.
China Lake, which covers 1.2 million acres of the Mojave Desert, has been determined within the epicenter of 6.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the morning of July 4, and the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that followed on Friday evening.
Snap of the Week
Naval Academy plebes climb the Herndon Monument, a tradition symbolizing the successful completion of the midshipmen’s freshman year. The class of 2027 completed the climb in 2 hours, 19 minutes and 11 seconds. Navy photo by Stacy Godfrey
