Earthquake with 4.4 magnitude strikes Los Angeles and police warn of aftershocks

A magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck the southern California region Monday afternoon, about 3 miles from South Pasadena, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The quake, which struck the highly populated Highland Park neighborhood in east Los Angeles, was first reported as a magnitude 4.6 and later downgraded by the USGS. It was at a depth of just 7.5 miles (12.1km) below the surface.

The Los Angeles police department warned residents to be prepared for aftershocks.

People reported feeling it strongly across the Los Angeles area. A medical building shook and residents said glasses and dishes rattled in many places.

The quake was felt from greater Los Angeles south to San Diego and east to the Palm Springs desert region, according to the USGS community reporting page. A small number of reports were filed from the southern San Joaquin Valley about 100 miles north-west of LA.

Sports and news shows that were filming live showed commentators rattled by the sudden shaking.

The quake comes less than a week after a 5.2 magnitude temblor hit southern California and was also widely felt in Los Angeles. That quake caused no injuries or major damage.