6.5 magnitude earthquake hits Australia

Northern Australia and parts of Indonesia were rattled with a 6.5 magnitude earthquake on Wednesday. According to the US Geological Survey, the undersea quake hit 278 kilometres east-northeast of Dili in East Timor It has a depth of 158 kilometres.

It was also reported that the earthquake widely felt Darwin and its surrounding areas as its epicentre was 630km northwest of Darwin. The coast in the eastern part of Indonesia was struck by the tremor but there was no tsunami warning issued.

Darwin-based Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Chris Kent said that they were on the third floor when the quake gave them a shake. He also said that it lasted for several minutes.

The southwest of Moluccas island also felt the quake according to the Indonesia's disaster agency. Casualties and damages were not yet reported.

Seismic and volcanic activity are frequent in Indonesia because it is positioned on the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Residents in Darwin reported the widespread shaking. One of the residents, Rosie McCurrah, shared her experience, saying that her two-storey house was swaying around and the TV nearly rattled off the cabinet.

Another person said that the Mitchell Centre felt like it was going to tumble over. Gaylene Whenmouth described the quake as rocking and rolling on the 7th floor.

Senior seismologist at Geoscience Australia Dan Jaksa said that the earthquakes happen in the Banda Sea regularly and it was often felt in the Top End. He also said that in the past 20 years, the region recorded more than 140 over magnitude six. He also noted that the shaking of the seismic waves travels more readily on the Australian tectonic plates than in the Indonesian tectonic plates.

A tsunami threat was ruled out by the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre.