Preliminary magnitude-3.6 earthquake in Illinois

BELLMONT, Ill. (AP) - Authorities say a preliminary magnitude-3.6 earthquake was reported in southern Illinois.

The U.S. Geological Survey said Tuesday the earthquake's epicenter was 4 miles north of Bellmont in Wabash County. Illinois Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman Patti Thompson said the state had no reports of any damage.

Officials with the USGS say the earthquake was about 38 miles north-northwest of Evansville, Ind., and 127 miles east of St. Louis, Mo. Officials say the earthquake happened about 5:28 p.m.

The area is near the New Madrid seismic zone. The largest earthquake reported in the state was a magnitude 5.4 in southern Illinois in 1968.