Alaska rocked by quake

A strong earthquake struck deep underground today, rocking much of Alaska and waking people 350 miles away.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or widespread damage.

The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 6.2, hit at 3:27 a.m. (12.27pm Irish time), jarring residents in Fairbanks, 85 miles north of the epicentre, and in Anchorage, 170 miles to the southwest, seismologist Bruce Turner said.

The observatory was deluged with calls about the quake, which occurred on an active fault several miles beneath the surface, Turner said.

Kathie White, who runs a hotel 36 miles from the epicentre, said the quake roused the residents and shook items off her shelves but no one was hurt.

“Just a good shaker,” she said.