Earthquakes rattle southern California a few minutes apart, geologists say

Two earthquakes reaching up to 3.5 magnitude rattled southern California, near Julian, on Monday afternoon, the U.S. Geological Survey reports.

The first of the two quakes hit at 2:35 p.m. about 15 miles east of Julian, the USGS reported. It was recorded as a 3.5 magnitude earthquake measuring 7 miles deep. More than 200 people have reported feeling the shake.

Three minutes later, at 2:38 p.m., the USGS reported a second tremor about 14 miles east of Julian. It was recorded as a 2.6 magnitude earthquake measuring .25-mile deep. Over 15 people have reported feeling the earthquake.

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.

Julian is about 60 miles northeast of San Diego.