A Friendly Guide to the Kern County Earthquake and Getting Ready for Shakes

What Happened? The Ground Wiggled!

Think of the Earth as a big puzzle made of pieces. Sometimes those pieces slip, and the ground shakes. That’s an earthquake!

Here’s the simple news from KABC (ABC7) on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 5:10 PM:

• A shake of 4.3 magnitude happened. Magnitude is just a number that tells us how strong the shake is. 4.3 is like a medium wobble—you can feel it, but it’s not the strongest.
• It hit near a town called Johannesburg in Kern County, which is north of a place called Edwards Air Force Base.
• The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)—a team of scientists who study the Earth—said this really happened.
• The shake came at about 9:40 a.m. on that Monday.
• People who watch Eyewitness News said they felt the wiggle in Los Angeles County, like in Burbank and Hollywood.
• The news said: "No injuries or damage were immediately reported following either quake." This means right after the shake (and maybe another one they hint at), no people were hurt and nothing was broken.

Important to Remember: Even if this shake was small, it’s always good to be ready for a bigger one!

Getting Ready for "The Big One"

Grown-ups sometimes talk about "the big one." That’s a nickname for a someday earthquake that could be very large.

ABC7 wants to help you stay safe. They made a list of items that are important to have in your earthquake kit (a special box of supplies) so you are prepared for that big shake.

The exact items are in their list, but the main idea is: have a kit ready!

The Story Is Still Changing

The article says: "This is a developing story. This article will continue to be updated as more information becomes available."
So the news folks will add more as they learn.

Quick Summary

• A 4.3-magnitude earthquake struck near Johannesburg, Kern County, around 9:40 a.m. Monday, July 13, 2026.
• USGS confirmed it; felt in LA County (Burbank, Hollywood).
• No injuries or damage reported immediately after either quake.
• ABC7 compiled a list for an earthquake kit to prep for "the big one."
• News shared by KABC on July 13, 2026 at 5:10 PM; story still updating.
• Copyright © 2026 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.

FAQ: Your Curious Questions Answered

1. What does "4.3-magnitude" mean in kid words?
It’s a number that shows how hard the ground shook. 4.3 is a gentle-to-medium shake that people notice but usually doesn’t break houses.

2. Where is Kern County and Johannesburg?
Kern County is a region in California. Johannesburg is a small community there, sitting north of Edwards Air Force Base.

3. Were people hurt in this earthquake?
The report stated no injuries or damage were immediately reported following either quake, so everyone was okay at that time.

4. What is an earthquake kit?
It’s a container with important things ABC7 says you should keep so you can be safe if a huge earthquake ("the big one") happens.

5. Why did the article say "either quake"?
The original wording used "either quake," which suggests the news might be talking about two shakes, but the details we have are for the 4.3 one near Johannesburg.