A series of tremors shook the Bakersfield area in Southern California on Tuesday night. The most significant quake, with a magnitude of 5.2, occurred southwest of Lamont. This quake caused tremors felt as far as Fresno, Orange County, the Inland Empire, and Victorville. The activity began at 9 p.m. and was followed by several aftershocks exceeding magnitude 3.0, according to KCRA.

Multiple aftershocks occurred within thirty minutes, and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) closely monitored the situation. No significant damage was reported as of late Tuesday. However, two southbound lanes of Interstate 5 near Grapevine Road were closed due to a large boulder on the roadway, according to information from ABC7.

Emergency responders, including those in Los Angeles, reported no major damage to essential infrastructure. The Governor's Office of Emergency Services stated that state and local responders were closely monitoring the quake's impact. Displaced tree branches and rocks posed additional hazards, and motorists in the Grapevine corridor were advised to drive cautiously.

Earthquake expert Lucy Jones noted that the Kern County region has a history of significant earthquakes, including the 1952 Kern County earthquake, also known as the Tehachapi quake, which had a magnitude of 7.5. "It led to a lot of changes in our earthquake policy because it did so much damage," Jones explained, referencing historical context provided by ABC7. Numerous aftershocks followed the main quake, suggesting the area could experience continued seismic activity.

California's 'early alert' system successfully provided warnings to some residents, allowing them to take shelter before the shaking began. Security video showed people inside the Verdugo Market and liquor store in Mettler seeking safety as the earthquake struck. The USGS initially recorded the quake as a 5.7 magnitude event but later adjusted it to 5.2.

Editor's Note: Hoodline edited this article to be more concise.