Moderate quake off Taiwan felt by few

TAIPEI, Taiwan, April 16 (UPI) -- A moderate underwater earthquake hit Saturday morning between Taiwan and Japan's Ryuku Islands, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The quake measured 5.7 magnitude on the Richter scale, strong enough to cause significant damage near the epicenter to poorly designed buildings. But the quake was far enough from inhabited islands that no damage or injuries were reported.

Residents of Orchid Island, a small mountainous landmass off Taiwan's southeast coast, felt the earthquake, the Central News Agency of Taiwan reported.

The epicenter was located 68 miles north of Ishigaki-jima in the Ryukus and 157 miles east of Taipei, the USGS said.