WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - A magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck off the coast of northern California on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The quake, initially reported as a weaker magnitude 5.1, was quite shallow at only 17.2km below the seabed, the USGS said.

It was centred 65km south-west of Eureka.

The National Tsunami Warning Centre said the quake had not triggered a tsunami.

A magnitude 5.7 quake is considered moderate and is capable of causing considerable damage.nn