A powerful magnitude 6.8 earthquake has struck deep beneath Bolivia, although authorities have not reported injuries or damage.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake struck Monday at 10:40 a.m. local time (9:40 a.m. EDT; 1340 GMT) and it was centered 205 miles (127 kilometers) southeast of Tarija, Bolivia. The epicenter was 346 miles (557 kilometers) below the surface.

Bolivia's private San Calixto Observatory gave the quake's strength at 6.6 magnitude and said it was felt in various regions of the country including La Paz, Cochabamba and Chuquisaca as well as Tarija.

Further north, the Central American country of El Salvador was hit later Monday by a quake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale, the Ministry of the Environment said.

That quake was recorded at 5:23 pm (2323 GMT) in the San Vicente district but was felt in the capital San Salvador where it caused alarm, sending people fleeing from stores and supermarkets, an AFP reporter said.

There were no injuries or damage, the Civil Protection Directorate said.