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 kilometres (57 miles), 189 kilometres 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. AFP