The epicenter of the quake which struck at 03.32 a.m. local time was in the Seram Sea 82 km southwest of the provincial capital Ambon at a depth of 10 km, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
The quake was not significant enough to cause a tsunami, the agency said.
"Thank God the quake neither caused material damage nor claimed casualties. But the local residents must stay alert for a tectonic quake which can occur any time because Maluku is one of quake-prone province," Secretary of the Maluku Provincial Disaster Mitigation Board (BPBD) Kifly Wakanno said on Thursday evening.
An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.1 is considered moderate and capable of causing considerable damage.
(Reported by Alex Sariwating/Uu.S012/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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