The strongest earthquake to hit a populated area of Southern California in more than a decade rattled buildings and nerves Tuesday morning. The 5.4-magnitude quake occurred near Chino Hills, 29 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, at 11.42 a.m. and was felt from L.A. to San Diego, and as far east as Las Vegas, 230 miles away. Buildings swayed and windows rattled, sending people running out into the streets, and telephone communications and electricity were disrupted.

While reports indicate the earthquake did not cause any serious injuries or major damage, it has some experts concerned that it may be only the beginning of something more. Studies show that Southern California is overdue for a sizeable quake as tension continues to build around the San Andreas fault line.

“People have forgotten what an earthquake feels like,” said Kate Hutton, a seismologist at Caltech. “We should look at this as an earthquake drill for the Big One that will come one day.”

Geologists say an earthquake capable of causing widespread destruction is 99.7 percent certain of hitting California within the next 30 years. A joint study conducted earlier this year by the U.S. Geological Survey and California Geological Survey said a 7.8-magnitude quake, for example, could kill 1,800 people, injure 50,000 more and damage 300,000 buildings.

Based on such a scenario, this fall scientists and emergency planners are holding what is reportedly the largest earthquake drill in the country, in order to prepare for the “Big One.”

It is no coincidence that California has been hit with a series of disasters in recent years—from mud slides to wildfires to earthquakes. Read “Is California Under a Curse?” for the reason why.

At the same time, we can expect the regularity and intensity of such disasters—including, specifically, earthquakes—to intensify around the world, based on Christ’s prophecies for the end time, as recorded in Matthew 24. Read “Myanmar, China—and Hope!” for more on what such disasters signify.