6.3-magnitude quake strikes off Indonesia – USGS

JAKARTA – A 6.3-magnitude quake struck off eastern Indonesia on Monday, the US Geological Survey said, but no tsunami warning was issued.

The quake struck at a depth of 92 kilometers (57 miles), 189 kilometers west-northwest of Saumlaki in the Maluku chain of islands, said the USGS.

Sutiono, an official at Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency who goes by one name, told AFP: “The quake’s epicentre was in the sea but there’s no potential for a tsunami.”

A receptionist at the Galaxy Hotel in Saumlaki, Enik Aryesam, said the tremor lasted around 10 seconds but caused no visible damage.

“It wasn’t very strong, so our guests didn’t panic,” she said.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity.