2 earthquakes hit east Ark.; no damage reported

BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. -- A pair of small earthquakes rumbled east Arkansas late Wednesday, but authorities say there was no damage or reports of injuries.

The U.S. Geological Survey says a 2.7-magnitude earthquake struck at about 11:35 p.m. Its epicenter was 5 miles southwest of Cooter, Mo., and 5 miles north-northeast of Blytheville.

A second earthquake with a magnitude of 2.6 hit about an hour earlier. Its epicenter was 8 miles east of Haynes and 10 miles northeast of Marianna.

The New Madrid fault runs from Southern Illinois to northeastern Arkansas, and produces hundreds of small quakes a year, most too weak to be noticed without scientific equipment.