Southern California rattled by swarm of dozens of small earthquakes in a day's span

A swarm of small earthquakes rattled parts of Southern California, with magnitudes ranging from 1.0 to 2.7, causing light shaking in several South Los Angeles communities.

The U.S. Geological Survey defines an earthquake swarm as a series of earthquakes occurring in a small area over time, with this particular swarm near the Newport-Inglewood Fault Zone in Southern California.

The seismic activity, which lasted just over 18 hours, did not follow the typical mainshock-aftershock pattern, highlighting the unpredictability of earthquake swarms along faults.

A swarm of small earthquakes rattled parts of Southern California from Friday night into Saturday.

Earthquake magnitudes ranged from 1.0 to 2.7.

Reports indicate that residents in several South Los Angeles communities reported feeling light shaking.

LENNOX, Calif.- A swarm of small earthquakes rattled parts of Southern California from Friday night into Saturday, with activity concentrated around Lennox and Westmont.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) defines an earthquake swarm as a series of earthquakes that occur in a relatively small area over a period of time. Unlike a typical earthquake sequence, a swarm does not have a defined mainshock followed by aftershocks.

According to the USGS, dozens of earthquakes occurred over a span of just over 18 hours between 8 p.m. Friday and 2:30 p.m. Saturday local time, with magnitudes ranging from 1.0 to 2.7.

Local reports indicate that residents in several South Los Angeles communities reported feeling light shaking.

Earthquake swarms can occur along faults and may continue for varying lengths of time, according to the USGS.

Data shows this particular swarm occurred near the Newport-Ingleowood Fault Zone, which runs through part of Southern California .