Earthquakes reaching at least 7.5 on the Richter scale have been recorded throughout the nation. The main area to be hit was in a remote area in the Banda Sea on Monday. The US Geological Survey (USGS) there was no initial tsunami warming.
The quake there hit a depth of 220km (136 miles), the USGS confirmed.
There were no immediate reports of damage or injury.
The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a bulletin a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami was not expected after the quake, which was initially recorded with a magnitude of 7.2.
The quake was initially reported at 10.05am local time (1.05am BST).
READ MORE: Rome earthquake: Italian capital rocked by tremors
A witness said: “It was so strong, everyone panics and ran through the emergency exit stairs. I was on eighth floor.”
Another told EMSC: “It lasted over a minute, long shaking that became more intense as time went on.
“We ran outside and sat down and the shaking continued for another 30 seconds or more.”
The closest major city to the quake’s epicentre is the city of Jayapura which borders Papua New Guinea.
Other areas struck include Papua and Saumlaki.
Following the initial quake, there have been a further three earthquakes that have hit the area.
Hitting within 23 minutes of each other with the first occurring at 10.22am local time (1.22am BST), the USGS reports that the magnitude of each was 5, 5.3 and 4.7 respectively.
Earlier today, there was also an earthquake reported in Japan.
The quake hit a magnitude of 5.5 but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
The earthquake hit at 9.16am local time (1.16 BST) approximately 14km SE of Tateyama, Japan, according to the USGS.
Other quakes have been reported in Rome, Italy, which was also felt by locals in Croatia and nearby San Marino.