A major undersea earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra this morning.
Wednesday 7th April 2010
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck 205 km west-north-west of Sibolga, Indonesia at 10:15 this morning, New Zealand time. The undersea earthquake was 46 km deep according to initial analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre reports the quake as magnitude 7.5 at a depth of 50 km. A tsunami watch has been issued for Indonesia but a widespread tsunami hazard is not thought to exist. Initial observations indicate that a tsunami was generated, with a change in sea level of 14 cm being recorded at Telukdalam, Indonesia at 1101 a.m.
Geoscience Australia reports the quake as magnitude 7.7 at a depth of 35 km. Their analysis puts the epicentre close to Singkilbaru, Sumatra, offshore between Sumatra and Banjak Island. They estimate the quake would have caused damage within 200 km of the epicentre and would have been felt up to 2500 km away.
[Compiled from data supplied by the U.S. Geological Survey and its contributing agencies, the U.S. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, and Geoscience Australia.]