MANAGUA, Nicaragua —  A strong earthquake (search) shook much of Nicaragua (search) late Friday, sending frightened residents spilling into the streets, but no injuries or damage has been reported, officials said.

The 6.7-magnitude temblor occurred at 9:16 p.m. local time and was centered in the Pacific Ocean, about 40 miles west-southwest of the community of Rivas, about 65 miles south of Managua, the capital, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (search) in Colorado.

The Nicaraguan Red Cross (search) joined authorities in the capital and in the region nearest the epicenter and said there were no reports of injuries or damage, though the quake was strong enough to trigger a tsunami advisory in southern California.

Nicaragua's earthquake center measured the quake at 6.2 and said it occurred about 80 miles south of Managua. There was no immediate explanation for the discrepancies.

A magnitude 6 earthquake can cause severe damage.