USGS: 6.0 Magnitude Quake off Costa Rica

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck in the Pacific off northwestern Costa Rica on Thursday, but officials said there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The United States Geological Survey in Washington said the quake occurred about 50 kilometers (30 miles) west of the town of Sandoval.

The quake struck at 12:29 GMT, at a depth of 18 kilometers (11.2 miles), according to the USGS, which uses the Moment Magnitude Scale.

Seismologists in Costa Rica said the quake registered 5.3 on the Richter scale, and was not strong enough to be felt on land.

Quake-prone Costa Rica was rattled in September of last year by a powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake which briefly knocked out power and caused widespread panic, but no known deaths or injuries.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii did not issue a tidal wave warning over Thursday's quake.