A preliminary 3.2-magnitude earthquake struck near Long Beach and Signal Hill shortly before 12.45am on Friday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The epicentre was about 2km south-west of Signal Hill in Los Angeles County, at a depth of approximately 12.3km. The tremor was also recorded as being close to Long Beach.
The USGS had received more than 700 reports from people who felt the earthquake, although there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
The agency said residents who experienced the shaking could submit a report through its online “Did You Feel It?” system, helping scientists assess how widely the earthquake was felt and its effects across the area.
The earthquake was recorded in the early hours of Friday, October 9, in Southern California.
