Earthquake off the coast of California rattles Malibu, geologists say

A 2.9-magnitude earthquake off the California coast rattled Malibu, geologists said.

The earthquake shook the area at about 9 a.m. Pacific Time Monday, March 21, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

A 2.9-magnitude earthquake is smaller than many California residents are used to, but dozens of people reported feeling the earthquake to the USGS shortly after it happened.

Some light and weak shaking could be felt in Malibu and near Los Angeles, according to USGS.

The area is often rattled by small earthquakes, seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones said.

The earthquake happened in the same area as a 5.2-magnitude quake during the 1979 Rose Bowl game, Jones said. Another 5.0-magnitude earthquake also happened in the area in 1989.

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.