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.

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.

PETROLIA, Calif. – A magnitude 4.1 earthquake shook some Northern California communities early Tuesday morning. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 4.1 earthquake was reported about 13 miles west of Petrolia in the Pacific Ocean just after midnight Tuesday at a depth of about 12 miles.