Michael Oskin is a geology professor at UC Davis and an expert on earthquakes and seismic faults.

"These earthquakes are very far from California so they don't directly impact the forces on faults in California. But earthquakes can trigger other earthquakes remotely as the seismic waves pass by and that no doubt is happening right now in places that are sensitive to that."

A survey conducted last year by UCLA found a huge lack of knowledge and preparation among most Californians when it comes to earthquake preparedness.

The poll found fewer than 20% of households have reinforced their homes or have had them inspected for earthquake resistance.

State officials estimate the next major quake will happen in the next 30-years.