This is the shocking moment a magnitude 4.8 earthquake rattled buildings in Indonesia, sending residents fleeing in panic.

CCTV footage from several locations shows the strength of the tremors as terrified locals ran for safety on Wednesday afternoon.

The quake caused items inside a shop to shake violently, knocking them off shelves and onto the floor.

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said the quake struck Tarakan City in North Kalimantan Province at 6:37 pm. The epicentre was located at sea, around 24 kilometres southeast of Tarakan, at a depth of 10 kilometres.

Authorities reported minor damage in Kampung Empat and Mamburungan, where several buildings suffered cracks and partial collapses.

Indonesia lies within the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' where the majority of Earth's volcanic eruptions and earthquakes happen.