Strong Earthquake Rocks Indonesia’s Bali Island

Posted October 13th, 2011 at 2:55 am (UTC-5)
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A powerful earthquake struck off the coast of the Indonesian resort island of Bali Thursday, causing a panic among residents and tourists.

No deaths were reported but several people were treated at hospitals for minor injuries. Endro Tjahjono, an official at Bali's meteorological agency, said cracks appeared in the walls of the agency's office and plaster fell from the ceiling.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the 6.0 magnitude quake struck more than 100 kilometers southwest of the island's capital of Denpasar, at a depth of about 60 kilometers beneath the ocean floor. A tsunami alert was not issued.

The Indonesian archipelago sits atop a series of seismic fault lines known as the “Ring of Fire” that leaves it vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic activity.