A powerful earthquake has struck the ocean near Indonesia’s Sumatra island, prompting a tsunami warning for nearby coastlines, seismologists say. Only few details are currently available.
The earthquake, which struck at 3:01 a.m. local time on Tuesday, was centered in the ocean about 195 kilometers west of Badang, the capital of West Sumatra province.
Indonesia’s seismological agency BMKG said the earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.3 with a depth of 84 kilometers. The U.S. Geological Survey put the magnitude lower, at 7.1, with a depth of only 15 kilometers.
BMKG said the earthquake has the potential to generate a tsunami and a tsunami warning has been issued for coastlines near the epicenter. People should stay away from beaches, the agency said.
“Based on historical data and tsunami modelling, this earthquake may be capable of generating a tsunami affecting the Indian Ocean region,” BMKG said.
Details about damage or casualties were not immediately available.
If you felt the earthquake, let us know where you are and what you experienced by sending us an email: [email protected]
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