Large quake hits Central America

WASHINGTON, Jan.13 -- A major earthquake registering 7.6 on the open-ended Richter scale struck in the Pacific Ocean 65 miles south-southeast of San Salvador, El Salvador at 12:33 p.m. EST Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported, and a tidal wave warning has been issued for El Salvador, Mexico and Nicaragua.

The quake's epicenter was 65 off the west coast at 22.8 degrees north and 88.8 degrees west, the USGS said.

Communications links to San Salvador are out and no damage has been reported yet, but$?'An earthquake this size could cause major damage,' said Carolyn Bell, a spokeswoman at USGS.