A magnitude 2.9 earthquake has been recorded in northern Sevilla province.

Residents reported tremors across nine towns in Andalucia and neighbouring Extremadura in the early hours of Monday morning.

The earthquake struck at 5.56am, with its epicentre near Alanis in Sevilla’s Sierra Norte, according to the National Geographic Institute (IGN).

It occurred at an estimated depth of 10km.

The strongest shaking was reported in Guadalcanal, where the tremor reached an intensity of II-III on the European Macroseismic Scale.

It was also felt at intensity II in the Sevilla towns of Alanis, Cazalla de la Sierra, El Pedroso, El Real de la Jara and San Nicolas del Puerto.

Across the regional border in Extremadura, residents reported feeling the earthquake in the Badajoz towns of Azuaga, Granja de Torrehermosa and Usagre.

In total, the tremor was detected by residents in six towns in Sevilla province and three in Badajoz.

An earthquake’s magnitude measures the energy released at its source, while its macroseismic intensity describes how strongly it was felt by people and its effects on objects and buildings.

An intensity-II tremor is classed as ‘scarcely felt’ and is usually detected only by particularly sensitive people who are resting.

Intensity III is considered ‘weak’. It may be noticed by people inside buildings and can cause a slight swaying sensation or make hanging objects move gently.

Earthquakes at these intensity levels are not expected to cause damage to buildings.