2 moderate earthquakes rattle central Peru; no damages reported

LIMA: The U.S. Geological Survey says a 5.5-magnitude earthquake rattled Peru's central highlands, followed by a 4.7-magnitude temblor in the same area. No damages or injuries were immediately reported.

The first quake struck at 7:17 p.m. (0017GMT) Monday evening, and the second hit 47 minutes later.

The epicenter was a sparsely populated area 70 miles (110 kilometers) east-southeast of Huanuco, the closest major city.

The first quake was the fourth with a greater-than-4.7 magnitude to strike the area in the past week.

Peru sits on the seismically active Pacific Rim and earthquakes are frequent.

A magnitude-8 quake struck near its central coast last August, leveling the port city of Pisco and killing more than 500 people.