A 5.4-magnitude earthquake occurred early Friday in the area of the Midwest states, shocking people unaccustomed to such powerful events of this kind.

Seismologists reported the epicenter of the temblor was in the south of Illinois, about 66 miles from Evansville, Indiana.

The earthquake shook skyscrapers in Chicago’s Loop, which was situated around 240 miles north of the epicenter, and several tall buildings in Indianapolis, but there were no reports of significant injuries or damages.

Minor damage was reported in Jefferson County, Soulard, and Albion.

The quake was reportedly felt in Chicago, as well as in Ohio, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Missouri and Kentucky.

"It shook our house where it woke me up," said David Behm of Philo, 10 miles south of Champaign, according to the Associated Press. "Windows were rattling, and you could hear it. The house was shaking inches. For people in central Illinois, this is a big deal. It's not like California."

U.S. Geological Survey said the quake occurred in the Illinois basin-Ozark dome region, which covers several states.

The organization reported on its website that earthquakes occur irregularly in the area, with the most powerful one causing damage in the south of Illinois in 1968.

The region borders a much more seismically active area, that of New Madrid.