Authorities in China say at least 50 homes were destroyed by a moderate earthquake that struck the northwestern part of the country early Tuesday.

The U.S. Geological Survey says a 5.4 magnitude quake struck Xinjiang province between the border areas of Yining and Gongliu counties, at a depth of 27 kilometers. The quake was initially measured at 6.0 magnitude.

Emergency crews have been dispatched to the area to assess the damage. So far, there are no reports of casualties.

A separate earthquake measuring 5.5 magnitude struck Tuesday morning in China's southwestern Sichuan region. Sichuan was devastated by a powerful 7.9-magnitude earthquake in 2008, killing nearly 90,000 people.

There are no immediate reports of serious damage or casualties from the Sichuan quake.