WASHINGTON  — A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck southwestern Pakistan, the U.S. Geological Survey reported Tuesday.

It said the quake, initially reported as a magnitude 7.3, was very shallow at a depth of 6.3 miles. It struck 34 miles west of Dalbandin at 1:23 a.m. local time Wednesday near the border with Afghanistan.

Local TV reports said the earthquake was felt in several provinces in the country.

Initial reports of damage were not yet available.

Interactive: What causes earthquakes? Earthquakes often rattle the region. A magnitude 7.6 quake on Oct. 8, 2005, killed about 80,000 people in northwestern Pakistan and Kashmir and left more than 3 million homeless.  

The Pacific Tsunami Center said the onshore quake had not triggered a tsunami in the Indian Ocean.

A major quake of this magnitude is capable of causing widespread and heavy damage.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41139829/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia/