JAKARTA, Indonesia (Oct. 25) -- A strong earthquake hit late Monday off the western coast of Indonesia's Sumatra island, but no damage or casualties were immediately reported.

The 7.5-magnitude temblor struck at a depth of 20 miles (30 kilometers) on a small island off Sumatra, the U.S. Geological Survey said. A massive earthquake and tsunami struck off the same island in 2004.

A tsunami watch advised that waves were possible within a few hundred miles (kilometers) of the epicenter. However, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said historical data suggest any wave it created would not be destructive.

In Jakarta, Indonesia's Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said the tremor that struck at 9:42 p.m. (1642 GMT) was centered about 78 kilometers (48 miles) southwest of the Pagai Selatan in Mentawai Island, with a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles).

It was reportedly felt in five town in Bengkulu and West Sumatra provinces, but so far there no reports of damages or casualties, said Tatok Yatimantoro of the agency.

The world's largest archipelago, Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity due to its location on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire.

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