Small quake occurs in West Tenn.; no damage reported

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Earthquake researchers say a small quake occurred Friday in West Tennessee but no damages from it were reported.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered about 40 miles north of Memphis and measured a 2.8-magnitude.

Such a magnitude is considered barely strong enough to be felt on the earth's surface and too weak to cause serious damage.

The quake occurred within the New Madrid Seismic Zone, which produces numerous small earthquakes each year. A series of earthquakes believed to be some of the strongest ever to hit North America occurred in the region in late 1811 and early 1812.