Trona, California, experienced significant damage due to a series of earthquakes in July 2019. The town is also facing economic challenges due to the decline of its primary industry, soda ash production.
Trona is a small, unincorporated community located in the Searles Valley of the Mojave Desert, in San Bernardino County, California. It is home to the Searles Valley Minerals plant, which is the largest employer in the area and a major producer of soda ash, borax, and other minerals. The town’s economy is heavily dependent on this plant.
In July 2019, Trona was hit by a series of powerful earthquakes, including a 6.4 magnitude foreshock on July 4, followed by a 7.1 magnitude mainshock on July 5. These earthquakes caused significant damage to infrastructure, homes, and the Searles Valley Minerals plant. Many buildings were deemed unsafe, and residents faced water and power outages. The natural disaster exacerbated the challenges faced by the community, which was already struggling with a declining population and limited economic opportunities.
The recovery process has been slow, with efforts to repair and rebuild the community’s infrastructure. The plant’s operations were also affected, but it has been working towards resuming full production. The earthquakes highlighted the vulnerability of small, isolated communities like Trona to natural disasters and economic fluctuations. The future of Trona is uncertain, as it continues to deal with the aftermath of the earthquakes and the broader challenges of sustaining its economy in a changing industrial landscape.
