SYDNEY (AFP) - A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck on Friday (Sept 9) south-west of remote Macquarie Island, where Australia maintains a small Antarctic base, officials said, but no injuries or damage were reported.

The tremor hit at a depth of 10km some 29km from the island, which lies in the Pacific Ocean about half-way between Australia and Antarctica, the United States Geological Survey said.

"We have been in touch with the base and they did feel it, but only slightly. They're all fine and there is no damage," an Australian Antarctic Division spokesman told AFP.

No tsunami warning was issued.

Macquarie Island, which is 34km long and just five kilometres wide, hosts the permanent Antarctic base on a narrow, windswept strip of land.

The number of expeditioners on site varies from 14 to 40 depending on the season or research projects being undertaken.