The epicenter of the quake was located about 35 miles northeast of Tolikara, which is in the eastern part of the country.
No tsunami warning was issued due to its location. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, but frightened residents who ran from their homes remained outside fearing aftershocks.
Indonesia is prone to seismic activity due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanoes and fault lines encircling the Pacific Rim basin.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
