WASHINGTON, May 1 (Xinhua) -- A strong 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck Thursday near the Aleutian Islands in southwestern Alaska, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported.

    The quake's epicenter was 65 kilometers west of Adak, Alaska, asparsely inhabited area near the tip of the Aleutian island chain, the USGS said.

    The quake, recorded for 0133 GMT, was at a depth of 10 kilometers, it said. It happened on a chain of more than 300 small volcanic islands, which are earthquake-prone, it added.

    There were no immediate reports of damage or injury in the area inhabited by only some 8,000 natives.