Shallow, strong earthquake rattles Indonesia's Papua

A strong, shallow earthquake has rocked Indonesia’s easternmost province, and authorities say there have been no initial reports of major damage or injuries.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude 6.1 quake was centered in a thinly populated area 233 kilometers (144 miles) west of Papua province’s Abepura town on Monday, at a depth of 20 kilometers (12 miles).

Rahmat Triyono, Indonesia’s head of earthquake and tsunami center, said the quake was followed by several smaller aftershocks, but there is no immediate report of major damage or injuries.

Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” A powerful Indian Ocean quake and tsunami in 2004 killed a total of 230,000 people in a dozen countries, most of them in Indonesia.