6.4 quake hits off Indonesia, Philippines: USGS

Jakarta, Jan 12: A strong 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia's Talaud islands north of Sulawesi on Monday but there was no threat of a tsunami, seismologists said.

The quake hit at 00:38 am local time (1638 GMT Monday), the US Geological Survey said, and was centred around 300 kilometres (190 miles) northeast of Manado and 320 kilometres southeast of the Philippine city of General Santos.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no tsunami threat from the quake. In its preliminary impact assessment, the USGS said there was a low likelihood of casualties and damage from the tremor.

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

A 6.9 quake struck in the Banda Sea in December sparked panic but no reports of damage or casualties.

PTI