A 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia’s Sulawesi island this morning, the United States Geological Survey has said.

The quake hit at 0311 IST 135 kilometres north-west of Gorontalo city at a depth of 46 km.

The USGS’ Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) system estimated the risk of fatalities and economic damage as very low.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where tectonic plates collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity.

A 6.1-magnitude quake that struck Aceh province in July killed at least 35 people and left thousands homeless.

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