5.2 magnitude earthquake strikes near Alaska refinery

Alaska has been struck by a strong 5.2 magnitude earthquake near an oil refinery close to Anchorage. It struck close to the Kenai Peninsula at a depth of 88km at 11 am 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.