Perryville, Alaska - A strong earthquake has occurred off the southern coast of Alaska, prompting officials to issue a tsunami warning that they then lifted later on.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the 8.2-magnitude earthquake occurred late on Wednesday evening 65 miles south-east of the town of Perryville, located on a peninsula, at a depth of 20 miles.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a tsunami warning but lifted it some three hours later.

Initially reported as 8.1, then corrected to 8.2, the quake occurred 75 miles south-east of the town of Chignik, also located on the peninsula.

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There were initially no indications of casualties or significant damage.

Tsunami warnings were issued in Hawai'i as well and later lifted.

Earthquakes occur frequently in Alaska, a very sparsely populated region of the country.

Seismic detection equipment measure an average of one tremor every 15 minutes in Alaska, but most cannot be felt.