A powerful 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck off eastern Indonesia Sunday, the United States Geological Survey said, but no tsunami warning was issued and there were no reports of casualties or damage.

The quake struck in waters near the remote Barat Daya islands in Maluku province at 8:52 pm (1152 GMT), 411 kilometres (254 miles) east of Atambua and 425 kilometres south of Ambon, the USGS said.

It was at a depth of 132 kilometres.

Amin Bin Tongke, chief search and rescue official for Maluku province, told AFP officials had not received any reports of casualties or damage.

"The quake is in a really remote area, near a cluster of small islands away from cities or towns, with a very small population," he said.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue an alert.

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