The north of the country was shaken by an earthquake early Thursday morning. The quake happened at 7:03am and lasted for approximately 5 seconds. The epicenter was pinpointed in San Francisco de Macoris and the tremor was felt as far away as Santiago, Moca, Salcedo and Cotu?. Although the authorities received many panicked calls, no damage or injuries have been reported. The Seismological Institute pointed out that a quake of this magnitude could potentially effect serious damage in a high-storeyed building, and a survey of vulnerable structures is being planned by the Public Works ministry. The Cibao region has a history of earthquakes, the strongest of which destroyed the cities of Santiago and La Vega in 1562.