Large 6.4 and 6.1 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Southern  California and Mexico.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties from the earthquakes early on Friday, which took place 262 kilometres and 93 kilometres off the coast, respectively, according to seismologists.

The US Geological Survey said the two first quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 and hit 163 miles southwest of the Californian city of Avalon.

A second quake with a magnitude of 6.1 struck 88 miles from Avalon. Both were recorded at relatively shallow depths, although no tsunami warning has been issued.

There was no immediate warning of any tsunami from the quakes.

Witnesses in Anaheim say they felt a slow smooth whirlpool rolling shake. Another witness in Ocean Beach, San Diego, was quoted as saying “Been through many, this was the longest feeling one, my 2nd story 100 year old apt, the floor swayed and twisted.

In Hillcrest they’re saying they felt a strong seemingly long quake.

Inglewood says “It was crazy it didn’t wake me up but the dog did.

Pico Rivera, say they felt a subtle sway and shake. Lamp and windows shook.

Coronado witnesses say nothing fell off walls but certainly the house shook.

here in San Diego, just felt my couch shaking from that quake a little while ago… very eerie!

Folks in La Jolla say they felt a gentle shake.

U.S. Geological Survey scientists found that last year’s magnitude 5.8 earthquake in Virginia triggered landslides at distances four times farther—and over an area 20 times larger—than previous research has shown.

There are no reports of damage or lost of life.

While we were yet compiling this report another 5.1 quake hit the southern coast of California.

USGS says that Mexico, which sits atop three large tectonic plates, is one of the most seismologically active regions in the world. They say:

The relative motion of these crustal plates causes frequent earthquakes and occasional volcanic eruptions. Most of the Mexican landmass is on the westward moving North American plate. The Pacific Ocean floor south of Mexico is being carried northeastward by the underlying Cocos plate. Because oceanic crust is relatively dense, when the Pacific Ocean floor encounters the lighter continental crust of the Mexican landmass, the ocean floor is subducted beneath the North American plate creating the deep Middle American trench along Mexico’s southern coast. 

 

Both were recorded at relatively shallow depths, although no tsunami warning has been issued.

Residents in parts of southern California reportedly experienced shaking, but no major effects were expected in the greater Los Angeles area.

 

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