Daijiworld Media Network - Anchorage

Anchorage, Sep 17: A significant earthquake of preliminary magnitude 6.5 struck Alaska's Aleutian Islands on the morning of September 17, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The epicentre was located about 100 miles west of Nikolski on Umnak Island, the USGS reported.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage following the earthquake. The National Tsunami Warning Center said there was no immediate threat of a tsunami from the quake.

According to Michigan Technological University, earthquakes measuring between 6.1 and 6.9 can cause serious damage. Earthquakes below magnitude 2.5 are generally not felt, while those between 2.5 and 5.4 typically cause minor or no damage.

Quakes measuring 5.5 to 6.0 can cause slight damage to buildings, while those between 7.0 and 7.9 are considered major earthquakes capable of causing serious damage. Earthquakes of magnitude 8.0 or greater can cause massive damage and destroy communities.