California earthquake: Magnitude 4.2 tremor hits San Fernando area

Quake shook Nasa laboratory before launch of Mars rover

The earthquake was felt across the Los Angeles region (US Geological Survey)

A 4.2 magnitude earthquake has shaken California, close to Los Angeles, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The tremor struck just before 4.30am local time (12.30pm BST), centred just over a mile from the city of San Fernando. Its epicentre had a depth of five miles, the USGS said.

There have been no reports of damage or injuries, but a strong shake was felt across the region and many social media users voiced alarm after being jolted awake.

TV host Karamo Brown tweeted: "That literally just scared me. My entire house was shaking and my dogs were howling before and while it was happening. I’m awake now! 2020 enough is enough!"

The Los Angeles Police Department posted on Twitter: "Good morning Los Angeles. Yes, we felt it too. Our 9-1-1 & communications systems are very robust and were not impacted by earthquake."

The earthquake also rattled the Nasa’s jet propulsion laboratory in La Canada Flintridge , where its engineers are based, minutes before the launch of the space agency’s next-generation Mars rover Perseverance blasted off from Florida’s Cape Canaveral.

A second quake of 3.3 magnitude struck nine minutes after the first.

An average of five earthquakes with magnitudes between 4 and 5 occur each year in the greater Los Angeles area, according to the LA Times.