July 4th earthquake won't delay the Big One. And it might have worsened quake strain

Does a good-size earthquake help relieve pent-up seismic stress? Does that postpone the day of reckoning when the Big One finally arrives?

That was the question some in California were asking hopefully in the wake of the July 4 magnitude 6.4 earthquake that rattled the region.

You won’t like this answer.

It’s wishful thinking to imagine that, as a rule, earthquakes “relieve” seismic stress, said seismologist Lucy Jones.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/california/la-me-ln-did-california-earthquake-relieve-earthquake-stress-20190705-story.html