Minor Magnitude 5.3 Earthquake Strikes Pacific Ocean Near Hawaii

A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck off the southeast coast of Hawaii Tuesday afternoon.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported the earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean about 33 miles southeast of Pahala on the Big Island of Hawaii. There were no reports of injuries or damage and a tsunami is not expected to be generated from the earthquake.

Tremors were felt across Maui and the Big Island, said a spokesman for Gov. Neil Abercrombie. Hawaii County Civil Defense notified residents of the quake using mass text messages and email as well as radio broadcasts, said director Darryl Oliveira.

"It was a pretty significant jolt," Oliveira told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

ABC News reports that the Oahu Department of Emergency Management says that strong shaking may have been experienced in some areas.

The quake was initially reported as a magnitude 5.6 but the USGS later downgraded its strength.