A strong magnitude 5.7 earthquake has rocked the south-central Alaskan coast and Alaska’s largest city, Anchorage.

The US Geological Survey said an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.7 struck near the town of Willow at 11:28am today with the epicenter located just 58 miles (93km) from Anchorage.

There was no immediate reports of damage or injury, but the shaking was felt over a wide stretch of south-central Alaska and residents reported diving under desks and hiding in doorways as the quake rumbled for several minutes.

The West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Centre reported the quake’s magnitude at a slightly weaker 5.3 and said no tsunami will be generated.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory said the earthquake was felt throughout south-central Alaska but was not related to Mt. Redoubt which erupted multiple times in March and April of this year producing a 25,000-foot (7,600 m) high ash cloud.

Residents reported feeling a series of aftershocks, with one about 30 minutes later measuring 4.1.