The Los Angeles Times reports that this quake is the largest that southern California has experienced since 1994, when a 6.6 magnitude natural disaster struck in Northridge where dozens were killed and billions of damage occurred.
Ridgecrest Mayor Peggy Breedon said the city was dealing with fires and broken gas lines, as well as falling objects that hit people, as the city endured many aftershocks.
A tsunami is not expected, according to the National Tsunami Warning Centre.
Emergency crews were responding to at least 24 medical and fire incidents, the Kern County Fire Department said.
The Kern County Fire Department said the Ridgecrest Regional hospital was being evacuated in response to the quake.
UPDATE The Kern County Fire Department has issued an emergency alert for another possible natural disaster in the next 15 minutes in or near Kern Country.
Multiple aftershocks have been reported in the area of the quake's epicenter, according to the USGS.
The United State Geological Survey initially said it measured at a 6.6 magnitude.
Director Ava DuVernay tweeted, "Been living in Los Angeles all my life".
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The California Highway Patrol was checking local roadways after there were numerous reports of rockslides.
The quake was also felt throughout Southern California, from the high desert to Laguna Niguel.
Diane Ruggiero, general manager of the Hampton Inn and Suites Ridgecrest, told the network that the hotel was badly damaged.
The quake struck several hundred kilometres north of LA.
Multiple people in San Luis Obispo County reported on social media that they had felt the quake. LAX airport reported that operations are proceeding as normal with no damage.
Five minutes following the quake she revealed, "The chandeliers are still swinging".
"Felt like we were on a turntable", user Rudio87 wrote.
"My sister was in the house and my dog, so we just got everyone outside and then it ended". It was like 15, 20 seconds, maybe.
An official at China Lake said there was "substantial damage" to their facilities, including fires, water leaks and spills of hazardous materials.
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