An earthquake off the coast of Massachusetts was felt across southeastern Connecticut Sunday morning.

The United States Geological Survey reported an earthquake 5 to 6 miles south-southwest of Bliss Corner, Mass., at 9:10 a.m. with a preliminary magnitude of 4.0.

Throughout southeastern Connecticut, people took to social media to report that they felt the earthquake, with varying degrees of severity, including some saying their houses shook, in Stonington, Groton, Niantic, Waterford, Montville, Mystic, Gales Ferry, Taftville, Norwich, Bozrah, New London and other towns.

The earthquake was reported in the Long Island Sound, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and in parts of New Hampshire as well.

The University of Connecticut's Department of Geosciences said it's rare to have earthquakes large enough to be felt in New England, though earthquakes do happen in the region.

"This is the largest event in New England since October 2012, when an earthquake centered in Maine was felt in Connecticut," said university spokeswoman Stephanie Reitz in an email. "Although our area isn't on the boundary of a tectonic plate, stresses that are communicated far into the interior of our plate can reactivate ancient faults that are hundreds of millions of years old."

Gov. Ned Lamont tweeted about the event on Sunday.

"There was a slight earthquake in the Northeast that was felt by many here in Connecticut this morning," he said. "We haven't received any reports of damage but we will keep you updated."