A magnitude-3.7 earthquake was reported Monday afternoon off the Southern California coast.

The earthquake at 1:22 p.m. was about 18 miles southwest of Dana Point. Light shaking was reported in Laguna Niguel, San Diego, San Clemente, Lynwood, El Cajon and other locations.

The quake at a fairly shallow depth of about 5 miles was followed by a magnitude-2.8 aftershock.

Did you feel it?

Whether you feel shaking from an earthquake largely depends on three major factors -- magnitude, distance and local soil conditions. Magnitude refers to the strength of the quake. The closer your location to the epicenter, the more likely you'll feel the effects of seismic waves that become less intense as they move out from the fault. Generally, the looser the soil under your location, the greater the amplification.

Earthquakes

Recent earthquakes, safety information and resources

Some earthquakes are followed by a larger earthquake, in which case the first quake would then be called a foreshock. For example, the magnitude-9.1 Japan earthquake and tsunami in 2011 was preceded by a magnitude-7.3 foreshock two days earlier.

Aftershocks decrease over time, but can continue for days, weeks, months and years.

Source: nbclosangeles.com