The tremor struck at 10.50 pm (1350 GMT) Monday with its epicenter 64 kilometers (39.7 miles) southwest of Ternate in the Maluku islands, said an official at the state meteorological and geophysics agency.

The quake originated 100 kilometers below sea level and was mostly felt by residents around the city. No immediate damage or casualties had been reported, a policeman there told AFP by telephone.

An earthquake of magnitude 5.0 can cause considerable damage in populated areas.

SPACE.WIRE