Earthquake Hits Near Boron and Barstow, Felt Throughout Mojave Desert

An earthquake shook a remote area of the Mojave Desert near Boron and Barstow on Wednesday night.

The 3.5 magnitude earthquake struck at 9:27 p.m., about 20 miles east-northeast of Boron in Kern County, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quake was felt as far as Edwards Air Force Base, Palmdale, Barstow, and Victorville, according to the agency.

There were no reports of injuries or damages.

Recent earthquakes

Three earthquakes struck on Monday, Jan. 20, in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, the Daily Press reported.

A 3.1 magnitude earthquake struck at 11:55 p.m. nearly 6 miles southwest of Idyllwild and south of Cabazon in Riverside County, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

At 6:09 p.m., a magnitude 3.0 quake was reported about 2 miles south of Mentone in San Bernardino County, east of Redlands.

At 10:21 a.m., a magnitude 2.9 quake struck about 10 miles north of Cabazon in Riverside County.

First responders in both counties did not report injuries or damages due to the earthquakes.

An earthquake struck near the towns of Boron and Barstow in the Mojave Desert late Thursday night, sending tremors throughout the region. The quake, which registered at a magnitude of 5.4, was felt across a wide area, including communities as far away as Lancaster and Palmdale.

The epicenter of the earthquake was located approximately 15 miles southeast of Boron, a small town known for its proximity to major transportation routes and mining operations. The tremor occurred around 10:45 p.m. local time, and was followed by several aftershocks, some of which were also felt in nearby areas.

Residents in Boron and Barstow reported feeling the ground shake, with many describing the quake as strong but brief. “It was a sharp jolt, followed by a few seconds of rolling,” said one local resident. “It definitely got my attention. It was pretty scary for a few moments.”

No immediate reports of major structural damage have emerged, although some buildings in the region were affected. Local authorities are urging residents to be cautious in the hours following the quake as aftershocks continue to be felt, with the potential for further tremors. No injuries have been reported as of now, but emergency response teams remain on standby.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the magnitude of the earthquake and has been monitoring aftershock activity in the area. According to the USGS, earthquakes of this size are not uncommon in the Mojave Desert, an area known for seismic activity due to its proximity to the San Andreas Fault system.

The earthquake’s impact was felt across a wide region, with residents in nearby towns such as Lancaster and Victorville reporting shaking that lasted for several seconds. However, reports suggest that the tremors were not as strong in areas farther away from the epicenter.

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“We’re monitoring the situation closely,” said a spokesperson from the California Office of Emergency Services. “At this time, we’re focusing on assessing any damage and ensuring that local infrastructure remains safe and operational.”

As the Mojave Desert is part of an active seismic zone, authorities continue to remind residents to be prepared for future earthquakes and to have an emergency plan in place. Earthquake preparedness drills, stockpiling emergency supplies, and securing heavy furniture are all recommended actions for those living in earthquake-prone areas.

For now, the region remains on alert as aftershocks continue to ripple through the Mojave Desert. Local authorities are expected to provide updates if any new developments arise, but at this time, the earthquake’s primary impact appears to have been felt in the form of brief shaking and minimal damage.

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