Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake Rattles Southern California

Magnitude 5.3 earthquake rattles nerves in Southern California

Charles Ventura and James Ward

 A magnitude 5.3 earthquake rocked the San Joaquin Valley late Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Service said, jangling nerves as Southern Californians prepared for bedtime. 

The quake was centered in Lamont, California, about 21 miles from Bakersfield, California. It struck at about 9:09 p.m. PST. No injuries or damage were immediately reported.

The quake was followed by dozens of aftershocks ranging from 3.7 to 4.7 magnitudes. The U.S. Geological Survey's site typically recalculates the data within the first few hours of the earthquake.

Tuesday's earthquake was the most recent to strike California and was felt as far away as Los Angeles, about 104 miles southeast. Many residents in the region received an emergency warning on their cell phones a few seconds before the quake hit.

On July 29, a magnitude 4.9 earthquake centered 14 miles northeast of Barstow, California, rattled the high desert and parts of Southern California.

Renowned seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones, who changed how people prepare for earthquakes, took to social media late Tuesday and said that the quake's epicenter was near the White Wolf fault that produced the enormous 1952 rattler but that "it did not appear to be on that fault."

Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake Rattles Southern California

Cristina Laila

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake rattled Southern California Tuesday evening. 

The quake hit about 14 mi Northeast of Lamont, California at 9:09 pm pst.

Significant shaking was felt throughout Los Angeles County, Orange County, Kern County and Riverside County.

Shaking was also felt as far north as Fresno.

Numerous sizable aftershocks hit after the main shock. At least 20 aftershocks were felt after the main quake that hit at 9:09.

No reports of damage or injury.

More on Tuesday night’s quake from Dr. Lucy Jones on ABC 7:

A magnitude 4.9 quake struck Southern California last week.