A 5.2-magnitude earthquake, with its epicenter near Bakersfield, shook a vast expanse of Southern California, including Los Angeles County, on Tuesday night around 9:09 p.m. According to CBS News Los Angeles, the tremble originated roughly 14.29 miles southwest of Lamont, a predominantly rural area approximately 89 miles from downtown Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Fire Department was quick to activate earthquake mode, sending helicopters to survey the region for potential damage. In a post shared by Mayor Karen Bass, it was stated that city teams would "continue to monitor any impacts." Fortunately, no significant damage or injuries were reported within city limits, as LAFD completed their strategic survey which generally takes less than one hour. This information was directly communicated through their official alert.
In the quake's aftermath, reports identified over two dozen aftershocks ranging from 2.5 to 4.5 in magnitude, with the USGS noting several above 4.0. "That's a pretty active sequence for this very short amount of time since the event," seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones told CBS News Los Angeles. A USGS map showed that while shaking in LA County was mild, it was more pronounced close to the quake's epicenter.
Moreover, the California Highway Patrol had to temporarily close two lanes of the southbound I-5 Freeway south of Grapevine Road due to a large boulder blocking the roadway, highlighting the potential for travel disruptions and road hazards even without major infrastructural damage. However, they rapidly managed to clear the obstruction. The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services affirmed that state and local responders were monitoring the quake's impacts, as indicated by ABC7.
The region has a historical precedent for such seismic activity; the 1952 Kern County earthquake being the most notable example, as Dr. Lucy Jones mentioned in a statement obtained by ABC7. Despite the past, Jones highlights a continuing pattern, saying, "The risk of it being a foreshock drops rapidly with time." Echoing her previous remarks on the recent quake's status within typical seismic activity, there remains a consistent 5% chance it could act as a foreshock to a larger event.
Residents who felt the tremors were encouraged by the LAFD to report their experiences to the USGS and to treat the event as a sobering reminder to always be prepared. The state's early alert app issued advance warnings, providing crucial seconds for Californians to take protective actions. The LAFD advises "Drop, Cover, Hold On" tactics during an earthquake: finding cover under sturdy furniture or against an interior wall, far from windows and doorways. Post-event, it's also recommended to check for damages, and injuries and to attend to pets and neighbors, as detailed in the LAFD's follow-up alert.
