Strong earthquake hits central Alaska near small town

The US Geological Survey reports that a magnitude-4.8 earthquake hit central Alaska on Saturday night.

The agency says the quake's epicentre is about 60 miles west of the town of Talkeetna, which has an estimated population of 900, and 97 miles northwest of Anchorage, the state's largest city.

There are no reports of damage from the quake, which struck at 9:21 p.m. Alaska time.

The agency says the earthquake is about 60 miles deep.

On July 29, a magnitude-6.3 earthquake shook southern Alaska and was felt by people in Anchorage and Kodiak. The Geological Survey says the quake struck near Redoubt Volcano on the Kenai Peninsula, 140 miles southwest of Anchorage. There were no reports of major damage.