Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. They can happen anywhere, but they’re most common in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Puerto Rico and Washington, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Parts of Northern and Southern California have felt light shaking from earthquakes early this week. Here's how strong they were and which cities were closest to the epicenters.

A magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck off the Northern California coast after midnight on Tuesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Several smaller quakes followed.