5.8-magnitude quake hits Indonesia’s Papua–USGS

JAKARTA, Indonesia – A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck the Papua region in Indonesia’s far east on Wednesday, US seismologists said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The quake occurred on land at 8:42 am (2342 GMT Tuesday) with an epicentre 86 kilometres (53 miles) north of Tanahmerah, the US Geological Survey said. It revised the depth to nearly nine kilometres (5.5 miles).

The Indonesian Meteorological and Geophysics Agency had measured the quake at 6.2 magnitude, and said there was no tsunami potential because of its epicentre on land.

“The tremor was felt in nearby Tanahmerah, Merauke and Wamena. We haven’t received any reports of damage so far,” agency official Muhaimin told Agence France-Presse.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where the meeting of continental plates causes high seismic activity through earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.