CHICAGO,. August 3, 2009. Three strong earthquakes struck off of Baja California in Mexico just minutes apart on Monday afternoon.

The first earthquake struck about 68 miles northeast of Santa Isabel in Mexico, according to the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center. The tremor struck at 1.55 p.m. EDT, following by a second earthquake at 2 p.m. EDT. The second earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.9, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. The quakes were located about 9 miles deep, which makes it a shallow earthquake. Shallow earthquakes tend to cause more severe damage than deeper earthquakes.

Although no tsunami warnings were immediately issued, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned there is a risk of local tsunamis. “Earthquakes of this size sometimes generate local tsunamis that can be destructive along coasts located within a few hundred kilometers of the earthquake epicenter,” a statement from the agency said. “Authorities in the region of the epicenter should be aware of this possibility and take appropriate action.”

The agency added to say that, if no tsunami waves have been observed near the epicenter within an hour of the earthquake, around 3 p.m. EDT, that the danger has passed.

There was no immediate word on damage or casualties from the earthquakes. People from Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Diego reported feeling the earthquakes.