Los Angeles has been hit by an earthquake as locals report being hit by a "big jolt".
An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.2 has been reported, roughly 10 miles off Malibu Beach in Los Angeles and 15 miles southwest of Santa Monica, US, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Its depth was reported at around about 9.2 miles and the earthquake was followed by a 3.48 magnitude aftershock at 2.03am.
The depth for the second earthquake was reported at around 8 miles, according to USGS.
There were thought to be no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
The earthquake was widely felt across the city as locals took to Twitter to ask if people had experienced the tremor.
Many locals reported being unable to get back to sleep after the sudden tremor.
Aurelie Jean wrote: "Just woke up from the #earthquake in Los Angeles at 2:00 am… 4.2 magnitude then 3.5 magnitude a couple of minutes later… can’t sleep again."
Another user wrote: "You know you live in #LosAngeles when you JUMP to twitter and check the #earthquake hashtag just to make sure you’re not the only one who felt that!"
While another added: "Thought I was trippin!"
The sudden jolt came as a shock as a user asked if anyone else was awake following the earthquake: "Omg LA just had an earthquake!!! Did anyone else feel it. Is anyone else awake???"
According to the United States Geological Survey, 22 minutes after the first earthquake was reported, a 2.8 magnitude aftershock was reported.
The USGS is asking anyone who felt the earthquake to report the brief jolt.
It wasn't just humans who felt the tremor, according to one Twitter user who said their dog "got scared" and jumped onto their bed.
A user wrote: "Damn it.. not only did the #earthquake wake me up at 2am, my dog got scared, jumped on the bed and won’t stop farting. Los Angeles sucks sometimes."
The Los Angeles Fire Department said they will conduct a survey of all large infrastructures such as apartment buildings and power-lines following the earthquake.
It said in a statement: "The USGS preliminary report is a magnitude 4.2 earthquake at 2:00 AM PST centered just off the coast of Malibu, California (16km S of Malibu). The LAFD is now in earthquake mode.
"All 106 neighbourhood fire stations will conduct a strategic survey of their districts, examining all major areas of concern (transportation infrastructures, large places of assemblages, apartment buildings, power-lines, etc).
"This survey will be conducted from the ground, air and sea. Once this process is complete and reports are consolidated, assuming there is no significant damage, Earthquake mode will be complete.
"This process typically takes less than one hour.
"There are currently no initial reports of structural damage or injuries. An update will be provided once earthquake mode is complete."
