A magnitude 4.9 earthquake, followed by a 4.8 aftershock centered near El Centro, rattled San Diego and Imperial counties today, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The shockwaves were felt as far away as Temecula and San Clemente, but no damage was reported to authorities around San Diego County.
The 4.9 quake hit at 10:30 a.m. 14 miles southwest of Seeley, a small community east of El Centro, the USGS said. The depth was recorded at 3.4 miles. The epicenter was also reported as 16 miles from the border towns of Calexico and Mexicali.
The USGS first estimated the magnitude as 5.3 but later revised the figure downward.
The 4.8 aftershock came at 10:33 a.m. in the same area. Another aftershock of magnitude 3.6 hit at 10:59 a.m., the USGS said.
San Diego County sheriff's officials said they felt their communications center in Kearny Mesa shake considerably. Chula Vista police also felt it at their headquarters.
"We're getting used to it," said Chula Vista police Lt. Fritz Reber.
"Some building alarms were set off in the city, but no damage."
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck the Mexicali area on April 4 and caused considerable damage to that town and to Calixico.
A number of people in the region reported to the USGS Web site that they felt today's temblor, including people from Imperial Beach to Oceanside, San Clemente, Escondido and Temecula.
