Strong 6.1 quake off eastern Indonesia

The US Geological Survey says a magnitude-6.1 earthquake has hit 318 kilometres east of Dili, East Timor.

A strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake has hit eastern Indonesia Tuesday but there is no tsunami alert.

The quake struck at 7:36 am local time (0936 AEDT), 318km east-northeast of East Timorese capital Dili in the Banda Sea at a depth of 18km, the US Geological Survey said.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue any alerts following the tremor in the remote region at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago between East Timor and the Maluku islands.

In an initial assessment, the USGS said there was a low likelihood of damage or casualties.

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

A 6.1-magnitude quake struck Indonesia's main island of Java in January, damaging dozens of buildings.

Another 6.1 quake that hit Aceh province on Sumatra island in July 2013 killed at least 35 people and left thousands homeless.


1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world