Southern California earthquakes: 'I need to start making a plan'

LOS ANGELES - The seismic one-two combo that hit Southern California last week left residents particularly unnerved because it robbed them of the single bit of solace that normally comes with a big quake: the sense that the worst is over.

After the 6.4 magnitude quake hit near Ridgecrest on Thursday, many expected aftershocks that would gradually decrease in strength and frequency. They'd been through it before, in Northridge, Sylmar and Whittier. But when a much larger 7.1 magnitude temblor struck Friday night, the shock quickly gave way to a newfound dread: What's next?

California Institute of Technology seismologist Lucy Jones announced an 8% to 9% chance of an even bigger rupture coming within hours and days.