7.3 earthquake strikes near Banda Aceh, Indonesia
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Banda Aceh is within 270 miles of the earthquake's epicenter northwest of Indonesia.
JAKARTA, Indonesia - A magnitude 7.3 earthquake has struck Indonesia off the west coast of northern Sumatra, according to a report issued by the U.S. Geological Survey.
The magnitude is currently estimated at 7.3, though it was initially reported as 7.4 and could be subject to further adjustments. The quake occurred at a depth of 29.1 km +/- 8.1 km (18.1 miles +/- 5.0 miles).
The earthquake struck in Indonesia's Sumatra region about 423 kilometers (262 miles) southwest of Banda Aceh, according to information from the USGS website. Banda Aceh is the same region that was devastated by a tsunami following a magnitude 9.1-9.3 earthquake in 2004, killing 167,000 people and injuring countless more.
Although a tsunami warning has not yet been issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, local officials have issued a tsunami warning.
