Southern Calif. shakes from small earthquakes

YORBA LINDA, Calif. (AP) - Southern California was shaken Wednesday by the second moderate but widely felt earthquake in less than 11 hours, but no harm was reported.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude-4.5 quake occurred at 9:33 a.m. and was centered two miles northeast of the Orange County city of Yorba Linda, about 35 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

A magnitude-4.5 quake centered in the same area struck late Tuesday night. Both temblors were followed by numerous aftershocks.

Quakes of such magnitude are unlikely to cause damage in cities built to modern standards but can rattle nerves.

"It was a decent sized shake and it's a reminder for everyone to have a plan for the Big One," said Stone. "How would you and your family survive for 72 hours with no water, no food and no amenities? Think about it. It's a reminder to go home and say, "What if?' and make that plan."

Seismologist Kate Hutton of the California Institute of Technology characterized the quakes as a swarm.

The location is near the Whittier Fault, but the quakes could be occurring on an unmapped fault, she said.

"This is likely normal California earthquake activity," Hutton said.