Earthquake hits Anchorage: Strong 5.2 magnitude tremor strikes close to Alaska refinery
ALASKA has been struck by a strong 5.2 magnitude earthquake near to an oil refinery close to Anchorage.
It struck close to the Kenai Peninsula at a depth of 88km at 11am local time.
An oil refinery, owned by Marathon Petroleum lies across the bay but is not thought to be in danger.
The refinery is located on the Cook Inlet, 60 miles southwest of Anchorage, Alaska, and has a crude oil capacity of 68,000 barrels per day, according to the company.
It employs around 250 people but it is not known how many people were on site at the time.
An earthquake previously struck Alaska on March 9 which was just 52km from Anchorage and measured 5.1.
Read More on Earthquakes
A 5.0 magnitude earthquake also struck the state on March 1, hitting at around 1.30pm local time.
In 2021, Alaska recorded an 8.2 magnitude quake, which was the largest in the US in 50 years, according to the 2021 Seismicity Year in Review report from the AEC.
That quake occurred on July 28 at 10.15pm local time. It originated offshore of the Alaska Peninsula.
Earthquakes are commonplace throughout much of Alaska.
Most read in US News
On average there is a magnitude 7 or greater earthquake somewhere in or offshore Alaska every 1 to 2 years and a magnitude 8 or greater quake about every 13 years, according to the US Geological Survey.
Anchorage is Alaska's largest city with a population of more than 290,000 people.
Read More on The US Sun
In 2022, there have already been more than 5,800 earthquakes reported in Alaska, according to the Alaska Earthquake Center (AEC).
In January alone there were 3,809 earthquakes recorded in the state.
More to follow...For the latest news on this story keep checking back at Sun Online. is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sport news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at .
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The US Sun team?
Email us at [email protected] or call 212 416 4552.
Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at