BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (AP)– A major earthquake struck off the west coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra Island late Monday, and officials warned that a tsunami could strike the area. Residents of Banda Aceh fled their homes in panic.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the temblor, described by one of the agency’s geologists as an aftershock of the devastating Dec. 26 quake, measured a magnitude of 8.2.
In Banda Aceh, the Sumatran city that was hit hardest by December’s tsunami, the quake cut electricity and thousands poured into the streets, most getting into vehicles to flee low-lying areas.
The quake lasted for about two minutes — far longer than most of the daily aftershocks that have rocked Aceh since Dec. 26.
Post links, info, pictures…as you get them.
This is terrible news.
First of all, this is terrible news and my heart goes out to the people affected.
Secondly, if Tom Delay openshis pie hole to blame the people of Indonesia for what has befallen them as he did last time, I want us to call bullshit on his ass. Okay?
I’m in his district. Count on it, Lorraine.
CNN seems to be on it. I checked MSNBC and they’re talking about Schiavo at the moment. Fox has the same ITV feed as CNN.
CNN reports says that tusnami is possible and the wave lines in projections go to the coast of Africa as well as India.
any predictions what Bush will offer this time around?
keep in mind the latest loss of approval on the Shciavo deal.
I’m betting it will be better than the last, gotta boost their popularity, all at the cost of disaster, sound familiar?
I deleted my link and info I had up because I didn’t realize that came from the December tsunami … I’ve asked my daughter to give me the specific link to the forum subset that is discussing TODAY’s quake.
P.S. Sounds like it might not be a tsunami after all … CNN.
AND — I totally love it that I can delete my comments here. For whatever reason.
Thorntree.lonelyplanet.com‘s forum subset where residents, NGO and aid group reps are posting the latest info.
Thanks for keeping us posted – no radio access here so comments and updates help.
Do a goggle search for Sumatra Earthquake and you can come up with breaking new, and set a google alert for breaking news.
Tsunami warning have been issued in some areas.
see here
This from theEuropean-Mediterranean Seismological Centre
In December the Tsunami happened during a full moon night. And you might all be aware that when the moon, the earth and the sun are in a line, Springtides happen, that is during full and new moon. That might also have been a factor in the December Tsunami. This time the full moon has been over for over 4 days.
But even if it is less severe this time, it must be scary that just when a half way normal life is starting to build, there is another Tsunami scare.
Warnings of a possible tsunami have been issued in Madagascar and the island of Mauritius after an earthquake measuring over 8.0 on the Richter scale struck Monday off the Indonesian island of Sumatra, officials said.
link
From CNN:
50 reported dead on island of Nias
From the article linked: