A Strong Earthquake Shakes Southern California

A 5.2-magnitude earthquake rattled Kern County on Tuesday night, sending shockwaves across Southern California. The quake struck at 9:09 PM, southwest of Lamont, a small, rural area, located about 18 miles from Bakersfield.

The magnitude shaking caught many off guard, yet thankfully, it appears to have caused no significant damage or injuries. Just two minutes after the initial quake, a large boulder, roughly the size of an SUV, was reported blocking part of the southbound Interstate 5, near Grapevine Road. Fortunately, the California Highway Patrol worked quickly and cleared the road early Wednesday morning.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake’s epicenter was in a less populated farming area, approximately 14 miles northwest of Grapevine. Although initially estimated as a 5.3-magnitude tremor, it was later adjusted down to a 5.2.

In cities like Bakersfield, Santa Clarita, and Ventura, residents felt varying intensities of shaking. Some reported experiencing over 40 seconds of tremor with different waves of shaking. Meanwhile, not everyone felt the quake, with some people like L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputy Jose Gomez driving into work without noticing the shaking.

The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed that there were no significant damages reported within the city limits. Inspections of the California Aqueduct and other facilities showed everything was intact.

Thanks to California’s earthquake early warning system, many locals received alerts before the shaking began. They received messages instructing them to «Drop, Cover, Hold On» to protect themselves from potential harm.

The 5.2-magnitude earthquake is one of the strongest to hit Southern California in recent years. It follows a history of significant quakes in the region, including the deadly 7.5 Kern County earthquake back in July 1952, which left a lasting impact on the area.

Geophysicist Allen Husker noted that many felt the tremors more prominently because the earthquake occurred at night, when people were resting. The unique geological makeup of the Los Angeles Basin also amplified the shaking, creating a sensation that felt stronger than it actually was.

As is the case with earthquakes, there’s always a chance of aftershocks or even larger scale events following the initial quake. However, experts suggest the likelihood of significant aftershocks diminishes over time.