A small earthquake shook residents in Pacifica Tuesday night, marking the fourth temblor to strike the area since 7 p.m.

The U.S. Geological Survey website said a magnitude 2.8 quake hit at 10:13 p.m. Tuesday night.

Earlier in the evening, there were three small quakes of similar magnitude reported just south of Pacifica near Montara.

The first earthquake was the strongest with a preliminary magnitude of 2.8. It happened at 7:06 p.m. The second earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 2.6 happened four minutes later at approximately the same location.

The last quake with a magnitude of 2.5 struck at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, the USGS said.

The epicenters for the temblors were located approximately two miles north or north-northwest of Montara.

The San Andreas Fault runs through that part of the Peninsula.