Moderate Quake Hits Southern California

The epicenter of this evening's earthquake was west of Los Angeles. Image: USGS — The epicenter of this evening’s earthquake was northwest of Los Angeles. Image: USGS

A strong 5.5-magnitude earthquake hit near Ridgecrest, California according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter of the earthquake was approximately 10 miles south of Searles Valley in the Mojave Desert at around 6:32 PM.

Seismographs measured the earthquakes that struck around the world today.

Many reported feeling the quake in Los Angeles and Orange counties and as far as San Diego.

Seismologists say tonight’s earthquake was an aftershock to the 6.4 magnitude quake that hit Ridgecrest last July. That quake was the strongest to shake the area since 1999.

More aftershocks are likely in this region in the coming months.