2.7-magnitude earthquake rattles some awake near Los Angeles, geologists say

A 2.7-magnitude earthquake rattled some Californians awake on Tuesday, Feb. 8, geologists said.

The earthquake in Silver Lake, about 5 miles from Los Angeles, shook at about 7:30 a.m., according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Hundreds of people reported feeling the earthquake to the agency. Some people on social media said the shaking startled them awake.

“Nothing like waking up to a little earthquake,” one person said on Twitter.

The 4-mile deep quake was small compared to what some California residents may be used to. People in the area were confused if it was really an earthquake.

“So that WAS an earthquake and not construction outside my window perfect,” someone said on Twitter.

Another person compared the shaking to feeling like something was running around underground.

“2.7 earthquake centered here in Silver Lake,” the person said on Twitter. “Felt like a herd of cats running just underneath the surface.”

Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, the U.S. Geological Survey says. It replaces the old Richter scale.

Quakes between 2.5 and 5.4 magnitude are often felt but rarely cause much damage, according to Michigan Tech. Quakes below 2.5 magnitude are seldom felt by most people.