The U. S. Geological Survey reported that the epicenter of the earthquake was 43 miles south of Intipuca, El Salvador, at a depth of 43 miles. This point is outside the Bay of Fonseca, with which Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua share their coastline.
In El Salvador's capital, residents ran into the streets as the ground shook, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. When a radio station open its phone lines to residents around the country, there was also no immediate report of victims.
In the country's Legislative Assembly, lawmakers fled their desks to get out of the building, before returning a short time later to resume the session.
The country's Environment Ministry advised that there was no threat of a tsunami.
In Nicaragua, the quake was felt strongly in the capital and all along the Pacific coast.
Nicaragua Vice President and first lady Rosario Murillo said there were no reported victims immediately in that country.
