WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - A magnitude 5 earthquake struck central Italy on Thursday morning (Nov 3) in the same region hit by recent strong quakes, the US Geological Survey said.

It said the temblor, which struck at 1.35 am (8.35am Singapore time), was very shallow, only 10km deep, and was centred 51.5km south-east of Perugia.

Earthquakes measuring 5.5 and 6.1 hit the area on Oct 26, followed by a 6.6 magnitude quake on Sunday, the biggest tremor to strike Italy for 36 years.

A magnitude 5 earthquake is considered moderate but is capable of causing considerable damage. The shallow depth would have intensified the shaking at the surface.