Big Quake Rumbles Across Southern California, Some Damage Northeast Of Los Angeles

A powerful earthquake jolted Southern California on Thursday, touching off fires and damaging buildings in a desert town northeast of Los Angeles, but authorities said there were only minor injuries.

The 6.4 magnitude quake, the largest in two decades in the area, struck about 113 miles (182 km) northeast of Los Angeles near the city of Ridgecrest at around 1:30 p.m. EDT (1730 GMT), according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The quake struck in an area on the edge of Death Valley National Park.

The Kern County Fire Department said it was dealing with “multiple injuries,” two house fires, small brush fires and gas leaks.