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 series of small earthquakes hit near a Bay Area city on Thursday, with the most recent being a magnitude 3.7, according to the US Geological Survey.

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.