DILI: A shallow 5.4-magnitude quake struck the island of Timor on Monday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The moderate earthquake occurred at 3:45 am (1945 GMT Sunday) about 10 kilometres under the ocean floor some 112 kilometres from Kupang in West Timor and 179 kilometres off Timor Leste capital of Dili, the agency said.

The island of Timor sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where continental plates meet, causing seismic and volcanic activity. - AFP/de