SKWENTNA- A 5.3 magnitude earthquake woke many residents of South Central Alaska this morning. The quake occurred at 6 am approximately 12 miles north of the small community, and 78 miles northwest of Anchorage, Alaska's central hub. The occurrence was 50.7 miles deep.

The shake could be felt as far north as Fairbanks and as far south as Valdez this morning. Maximum intensity was felt in Talkeetna and Willow. It was followed about an hour later by two smaller quakes in the same area.

Earthquakes are a regular occurrence in the state. The last large earthquake was reported from the Fox Islands late last month on June 23rd. That shaker was a 7.2 quake. There are multiple earthquakes of smaller magnitude occurring every day in the state, most are unfelt by the population.