WASHINGTON ? A strong earthquake measuring 5.9 on the moment magnitude scale rattled the Pacific coast of Nicaragua on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey said.

The earthquake, which struck at 9:15 pm local time (0315 GMT) had its epicenter in the ocean some 120 kilometers southwest of the capital Managua.

A preliminary report from the Nicaraguan Institute of Territorial Studies said the quake measured 4.5 on the Richter scale in the capital.

There were no immediate reports of damage, but the quake did bring people out into the streets in large cities including Leon, Masaya and Granada according to reports.