An earthquake  measured at a preliminary magnitude of 8.0 has hit late Thursday off the coast of Mexico, the US Geological Survey said.

"Hazardous waves from the earthquake were possible along the coasts of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras and Ecuador," the US Tsunami Warning Centre said.

According to Deutsch Presse-Agentur, dpa, "The earthquake struck at a depth of 33 kilometres, some 119 kilometres south-south-west of Tres Picos, Mexico."

There were no immediate reports of damage.