Asia-Pacific

6.5 magnitude quake rocks Sumatra, Indonesia

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-01-18 10:21

JAKARTA - A shallow earthquake with magnitude of 6.5 struck off Sumatra island of Indonesia on early Tuesday, officials said here. No tsunami warning was issued and there were no initial reports of damage or casualty.

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The quake jolted at 02:20 am Jakarta time Tuesday (1920 GMT Monday) with epicenter at 115 km southwest Bintuhan town of bengkulu province and with the depth at 10 km under sea bed, an official of the Meteorology and Geophysics Agency Hendra Raharja told Xinhua by phone.

The intensity of the quake was felt at 3 to 4 MMI (Modified Mercally Intensity) in Manna and Bintuhan towns, 3 MMI in Kepahiang town, and Benkulu city, capital of the province, the official said.

Furqon Hfid, an official of the disaster management and mitigation agency confirmed there were no buildings damaged or people injured.

Indonesia sits on a vulnerable quake-prone zone called the " Pacific Ring of Fire," where two continental plates meet to frequently cause seismic and volcanic movements.