A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the island of Lombok in Indonesia, the US Geological Survey said.

The quake, which struck at 6.47am local time on Sunday, was followed less than an hour later by a 5.4 magnitude aftershock in the same area.

The epicentre was 80 miles northeast of the islands main city of Mataram and was very shallow, which would have amplified its effect.

The earthquake was on land and did not trigger any waves or tsunami but authorities issued a yellow alert, suggesting there was a possibility of casualties.

A 6.4 magnitude is strong enough to cause injuries and damage to buildings, but largely depends on how densely populated the affected area is.

In February, an earthquake of that strength hit Taiwan, killing 17 people and injuring hundreds more.

Taiwan earthquake damage: in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Taiwan earthquake damage: in pictures Taiwan earthquake damage: in pictures Rescue workers walk out from the Yun Tsui building, which is leaning at a precarious angle, in the Taiwanese city of Hualien on February 8, 2018 after the city was hit by a 6.4-magnitude quake late on February 6. AFP/Getty Images Taiwan earthquake damage: in pictures A child rides a bicycle on a fractured road in Hualien. REUTERS Taiwan earthquake damage: in pictures Rescuers rushs against time to search for survivors from thr damaged building in Hualien on 6 February, 2018. EPA Taiwan earthquake damage: in pictures People pray for the earthquake victims outside a damaged building. Getty Images AsiaPac Taiwan earthquake damage: in pictures Displaced families take shelter in a school . AFP/Getty Images Taiwan earthquake damage: in pictures A resident walks past a damaged street in Hualien. EPA Taiwan earthquake damage: in pictures A rescue worker takes a photo of the Yun Tsui building. AFP/Getty Images Taiwan earthquake damage: in pictures Taiwanese rescuers continued the terrifying task on February 8 of searching for survivors in a dangerously leaning apartment block that was partially toppled by an earthquake, despite regular aftershocks coursing through the building's tottering structure. EPA Taiwan earthquake damage: in pictures The Yun Tsui building. REUTERS Taiwan earthquake damage: in pictures Rescuers carry a body from the damaged building. EPA

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the European quake agency, put the latest quake in Lombok at magnitude 6.5.

Indonesia is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin.

In December 2004, a massive magnitude-9.1 earthquake off Sumatra triggered a tsunami that killed 230,000 people in a dozen countries.

Lombok is an Indonesian island east of Bali popular with tourists.

The Foreign Office currently has a travel warning related to nearby volcanic activity.

Travellers are advised to avoid the Mount Agung crater in east Bali and the Mount Sinabung crater in Kalo Regency, North Sumatra.

On the topic of earthquakes in Indonesia, the Foreign Office advises: "If a major earthquake or landslide occurs close to shore, you should follow the instructions of local authorities, bearing in mind that a tsunami could arrive within minutes.