A massive earthquake, Magnitude 8.7, has been reported off the west coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. CNN is reporting that tremors have been felt as far away as Thailand and Southern India. A BBC correspondent reported that strong tremors were felt for five minutes in Jakarta. Additionally, a second earthquake, likely an aftershock measuring Magnitude 8.2, was reported in that same region.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has indicated that a tsunami has been generated as a result of this earthquake. Here is a contour map showing estimated arrival times for a tsunami. Here is a live stream from Indonesia's TVOne. Stay tuned for further information.
This diary will be updated with further information as it becomes available.
USGS Data for First Earthquake
USGS Data for Second Earthquake
2:51 AM PT: 4:51 A.M. US Central Time: Tsunami would have reached Aceh by now if a tsunami has been generated. Indonesian TV stations are showing people outside in the streets, but no significant damage from the earthquake itself.
2:57 AM PT: BBC is relaying report from USGS that tsunami is unlikely.
3:16 AM PT: Ground report from Indonesia: No danger signs of tsunami, such as receding water that typically occurs just prior to a tsunami. Again, the areas in which tsunami warnings were issued included many of the areas that were severely affected by the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Not out of the woods yet, but these are encouraging signs.
3:28 AM PT: Well, this does not bode well...the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has indicated that a tsunami has been generated. Tsunami is expected to arrive on Southeastern Coast of India and Sri Lanka sometime between 7pm to 9pm Japanese Time, based on a report from Japanese forecasters.
3:33 AM PT: MSNBC is reporting that 20 ft. waves are expected along the coast of India.
3:36 AM PT: 7pm to 9pm Japan is 2:30pm to 4:30pm in India, by the way.
3:48 AM PT: Links with relevant information to this unfolding story are available above the orange separator.
3:51 AM PT: USGS has downgraded magnitude of earthquake to M8.6
3:55 AM PT: Indonesia's TVOne (which is being live-streamed over CNN.com in the US) has shown pictures of individuals being carried into a hospital. Whether or not those people have sustained injuries as a result of the earthquake is unknown at this time.
4:11 AM PT: Largest tsunami gauge reading so far is at Meulaboh ID, 4.1N, 96.1E, 3.5 Ft. Amplitude relative-to-normal
4:13 AM PT: *Second Earthquake Reported* 0.773N, 92.452E, M8.2, D16km
4:19 AM PT: First reports of injuries in Indonesia...very few specifics, but most injuries appear to be as a result of falling objects
4:29 AM PT: Australian Broadcasting Corporation is reporting that water has receded by 10 meters at Simeulue Island. Additionally, there appears to be confusion as to whether the second quake was an aftershock or the first quake was a preshock. One report indicated that the second quake is M8.8, which would be more powerful than the first quake and mean that the first quake was a preshock, other reports indicate that the second quake is M8.2, which would be less powerful than the first quake, and, therefore, the second quake would be an aftershock.
4:35 AM PT: Second quake appears to be an aftershock of the first quake. First quake was M8.6, Indonesian officials list second quake as M8.1, USGS lists second quake as M8.2.
4:42 AM PT: Logging out at 7 AM CDT/5 AM PDT...creator of new live thread, please post link to this thread to indicate continuation.
4:58 AM PT: Logging out shortly...if anyone wants to create a new live thread regarding this developing story, feel free to do so.