WASHINGTON- A 5.0 MAGNITUDE earthquake struck northern California on Friday, the US Geological Survey reported.

The quake occurred at 4.19 am (8.19pm Singapore time) with the epicenter three kilometres north-east of the small town of East Quincy, and 163 kilometres northeast of the state capital Sacramento, according to the USGS.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage from the earthquake. -- AFP