A magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck Simeulue Island off the coast of Sumatra in western Indonesia on Thursday. The quake occurred at 11:56 a.m. local time (0456 GMT) at a depth of 25 kilometres, the USGS said. There are no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) measured the quake at magnitude 6.3 at a depth of 10 kilometres. Officials confirmed the earthquake did not have the potential to trigger a tsunami. The Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning Centre also said there is no tsunami threat.
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Simeulue Island is part of a region that frequently experiences earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” This zone of intense seismic activity stretches from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.
Authorities said they are monitoring the situation and assessing any potential impact on local communities. No evacuation orders or emergency measures have been issued so far. Residents reported feeling the tremor but described it as brief.
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Indonesia has a long history of strong earthquakes and tsunamis, including the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean quake. Experts continue to warn that the archipelago remains vulnerable due to its tectonic setting.