An earthquake at 9:09 p.m. Tuesday of a preliminary magnitude of 5.3 centered 21 miles from Bakersfield shook the southern San Joaquin Valley and was felt in parts of southern California.
Here are the latest details:
The southbound I-5 Freeway through the Grapevine reopened early Wednesday morning after a massive boulder fell on the roadway just moments after an earthquake struck Kern County on Tuesday.
Traffic in the area is reported as normal as of 6:40 a.m. Wednesday.
The California Highway Patrol reports that as of around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, two southbound lanes of I-5 over the Grapevine are closed after large boulders fell on the roadway after the earthquake.
The CHP doesn't have a timeline for reopening the lanes while emergency crews clear the area, so motorists are advised to drive cautiously.
Related: What to do in an earthquake? We answer questions about tremors
The Grapevine is a 40-mile stretch of highway from just north of Castaic in Los Angeles County to the bottom of the grade where the I-5 enters the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County. It is the major thoroughfare connecting the Valley to Southern California.
An earthquake at 9:09 p.m. Tuesday of a preliminary magnitude of 5.3 centered 21 miles from Bakersfield shook the southern San Joaquin Valley and was felt in parts of southern California.
There were no immediate reports of damage. The U.S. Geological Survey's site typically recalculates the data within the first few hours of the earthquake, so figures can move slightly up or down.
The quake was followed by dozens of aftershocks ranging from 3.7 to 4.7 magnitudes. The Bakersfield Californian reported that downtown Bakersfield shook so much that there was little pause between the initial earthquake and the aftershocks.
The earthquake was centered in Lamont on the north side of the Grapevine, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Many residents throughout California received an emergency warning on their cell phones a few seconds before the quake hit.
Tuesday's earthquake is the most recent shaker to hit California.
A 3.3-magnitude earthquake centered on the west side of the Salton Sea was felt in parts of Southern California. On July 29, a 4.9-magnitude earthquake centered 14 miles northeast of Barstow rattled the high desert and parts of Southern California.
When was the last big earthquake in California?
The most recent significant earthquake in the state — either a magnitude of 6.5 or greater or that caused loss of life or more than $200,000 damage — was the 6.4-magnitude earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean near Ferndale in 2022, according to the state department of conservation , which tracks “big” earthquakes in California.
That earthquake struck in the early morning hours multiple miles west of Ferndale on Dec. 20, 2022, USA TODAY reported . It indirectly caused two deaths and damaged homes and roads in Humboldt County.
You can track earthquakes recorded within the last 30 days in America and internationally through USGS’ latest earthquakes map , though USGS cautions it should not be considered a complete list of earthquakes.
Those searching for information about recent earthquakes limited to California and Nevada can visit the Southern California Earthquake Data Center's website .
What have been the biggest earthquakes in recorded California history?
California's largest recorded earthquakes since 1800, ranked by magnitude, according to the California Department of Conservation.
- 7.9 : Jan. 9, 1857 in Fort Tejon Two killed; created 220-mile surface scar
- 7.8 : April 18, 1906 in San Francisco Possibly 3,000 killed; 225,000 displaced
- 7.4 : March 26, 1872 in Owens Valley. 27 killed; three aftershocks of magnitude >6
- 7.4 : Nov. 8, 1980 just west of Eureka Injured 6; $2 million in damage
- 7.3 : July 21, 1952 in Kern County 12 killed; included three magnitude 6-plus aftershocks in five days
- 7.3 : June 28, 1992 in Landers. One killed; 400 injured; $9.1 million in damage
- 7.2 : Jan. 22, 1923 in Mendocino. Damaged homes in several towns
- 7.2 : April 25, 1992 in Cape Mendocino. 356 injuries; $48.3 million in damage
- 7.1 : Nov. 4, 1927 southwest of Lompoc. No major injuries, slight damage in two counties
- 7.1 : Oct. 16, 1999 in Ludlow. Minimal damage due to remote location
What am I supposed to do during an earthquake?
It depends on where you are at.
Here’s what to do in the following situations, according to Ready.gov :
- Turn face down and cover your head and neck with a pillow if you’re in bed.
- If you are outside, stay outdoors and away from buildings.
- If you are inside, stay. Avoid doorways and do not run outside.
To protect yourself during an earthquake, drop down to your hands and knees and hold onto something sturdy. Cover your head and neck with your arms and crawl underneath a sturdy table or desk to shelter. If that’s not available to you, then crawl next to an interior wall to get away from windows. If you are under a table or desk, hold onto it with one hand so that if it moves, you can move with it.
More: How to prepare for 'the big one' in Coachella Valley
What if I’m driving during an earthquake?
Slow down and pull over as soon as it’s safe, according to the California Highway Patrol. Remain in the vehicle with your seat belt fastened, engine off, and parking brake set. Once the shaking stops, check your vehicle for damage and its occupants for injuries. Only begin driving when it is safe to do so. Once you can start moving again, do so slowly and cautiously, avoiding any areas of the road that appear to be damaged or obstructed, and continue to avoid bridges and ramps.
USA TODAY reporters Olivia Munson and Paris Barraza contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: 5.3-magnitude quake centered near Bakersfield shakes Central Valley, parts of SoCal
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