Monday, October 25, 2010

USGS: 7.5-magnitude quake near Sumatra, Indonesia

Major earthquake strikes off Indonesia


A major earthquake has struck off Western Sumatra, Indonesian officials say.

A tsunami alert has been issued following the 7.5 magnitude quake at a depth of 33km (20.5 miles), officials said.

The epicentre was reported to be 152 miles (244 km) south of the city of Padang.

There have so far been no reports of damage or casualties. Indonesia is regularly affected by earthquakes.

More than 1,000 people were killed off Sumatra in September 2009.

In June at least three powerful earthquakes struck the region, bringing down homes and leaving three people dead.

The country sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", one of the world's most active areas for earthquakes and volcanoes.

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