A powerful earthquake struck Panama on Friday afternoon, the United States Geological Survey said. The quake measured a preliminary magnitude of 7.6, with its epicenter about nine miles southwest of Pitaloza Arriba in southern Panama.

The tremor hit just before 1:56 p.m. Eastern Time. The USGS first estimated the magnitude at 8.0 before revising it down. Some agencies later reported 7.7 as measurements were refined.

The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami threat for the Pacific coastline from Mexico to Peru. Officials said waves of one to three meters were possible along some coasts of Panama. Countries including Ecuador, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Peru could see less intense waves.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The quake occurred at a depth of about 33 kilometers, which can reduce surface shaking but still generate tsunamis.

The region has seen strong seismic activity in recent months. Venezuela was hit by two powerful earthquakes in June, and Colombia suffered a tremor in August.