6.4 quake hits off Indonesia, Philippines: USGS

Says there was a low likelihood of casualties and damage from the tremor

JAKARTA: A strong 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia's Talaud Islands north of Sulawesi early Tuesday 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.

Prelim M6.4 earthquake Kepulauan Talaud, Indonesia Jan-11 16:38 UTC, updates https://t.co/DfBDm9GBav

— USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) January 11, 2016

Prelim M6.4 earthquake 233km SE of Sarangani, Philippines - No tsunami alert issued - https://t.co/HaI5G49lH7 pic.twitter.com/j7i1QhNVQD

— USGS (@USGS) January 11, 2016

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre 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.