Seismologist Dale Grant of the US Geological Survey says the magnitude-5.1 quake struck just before 4 pm yesterday. It was centered about 40 kilometres southeast of Calexico, California, and 37 kilometres southeast of Mexicali, Mexico, at a depth of 10 kilometres.
Several aftershocks followed, the largest a magnitude-4.2 about two hours after the initial quake.
The USGS has received reports of people feeling the quake from 193 kilometres west of the epicentre in San Diego, to 96 kilometres east in Yuma, Arizona.
Dispatchers with the Calexico Police Department say the station shook briefly but there were no reports of damage or injuries.
Calexico is 193 kilometres east of San Diego and has a population of 27,000.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks