The epicenter of the 6.2 magnitude quake was beneath the southeastern tip of the island, which eliminated any threat of a tsunami, according to Indonesian seismologists.
While numerous homes sustained damage from the shaking, there were no reports of significant injuries or fatalities.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck at 7:07 a.m. local time about 45 miles south-southeast of Kendari, the capital of South East Sulawesi Province.
The relatively shallow depth of only 6 miles was responsible for the surface shaking and extent of damage, according to officials.