Two earthquakes with epicentre in Ontario shake Southern California

Two light earthquakes struck Southern California on Saturday morning, with epicenters in Ontario.

The magnitude 3.5 and 3.9 earthquakes struck about half an hour apart, and the tremors were felt as far away as Los Angeles city, Orange County and northern San Diego County, according to crowdsourced reports sent to the U.S. Geological Survey.

“Light” tremors, defined by the modified Mercalli intensity scale, were felt near the epicenter, which included Ontario International Airport, the USGS said. Light tremors are enough to rattle windows and dishes and can noticeably rock stationary cars.

“Weak” earthquakes may have been felt as far away as Los Angeles, San Gabriel Valley, Long Beach, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino.

The first earthquake struck near Archibald Avenue and Brookside Street at 10:05 a.m. Saturday. It was followed by a larger earthquake about 1.2 kilometers northeast with its epicenter at the 60 Freeway and South Oak Hill Drive.

Ontario police said there were no immediate reports of damage.

In Rowland Heights, a resident felt his desk shake violently for several seconds. The shaking was so violent that he initially thought someone had crashed into his house.