Alaska quake
© US Geological SurveyQuake: This is the region that was struck by the 5.8-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday afternoon
Alaska was shaken by a a 5.8 magnitude earthquake on Wednesday afternoon.

The tremor, about 75 miles north west of Anchorage, shook buildings for about 15 to 20 seconds in the city at around 3.30pm.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, Anchorage Police Department spokeswoman Anita Shell said.

The quake was initially recorded at a magnitude of 5.6, then was upgraded to 6.2, before the USGS settled on 5.8.

'Thought a moose was head-butting my camper,' Becky Woltjer, resident of nearby Willow, wrote on Facebook.

It comes after a wave of wildfires hit Alaska in May and the beginning of June.

Preliminary research suggested the quake was at a depth of 71.6 miles, originating in a remote mountainous region.

No tsunami was expected, despite its proximity to the coast.