Powerful earthquake shakes central Myanmar

BANGKOK (AP) — Officials say a powerful earthquake measuring a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 has shaken central Myanmar.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake hit Wednesday afternoon and was centered about 25 kilometers (15 miles) west of Chauk, an area west of the ancient capital of Bagan. It said it was located fairly far below the Earth's surface at a depth of about 84 kilometers (52 miles). Deep earthquakes generally cause less surface damage.

The quake was felt several hundred kilometers (miles) away in Thailand's capital, Bangkok.