"An 8.7 magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia on Wednesday, sending residents around the region scurrying from buildings and raising fears of a huge tsunami as in 2004, but authorities said there were no reports suggesting a major threat."
"Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage in Aceh, the Indonesian province closest to the earthquake.
The quake struck at 0838 GMT and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said soon afterwards a tsunami watch was in effect for the entire Indian Ocean. It later said the threat of a big tsunami had receded, although the warning remained in place.
'It doesn't look like a major tsunami. But we are still monitoring as tsunamis come in waves,' Victor Sardina, a geophysicist on duty at the Hawaii-based institute, told Reuters."
Reza Munawir reports for Reuters from Banda Aceh April 11, 2012, at 7:47 am EDT.
Reuters later reported aftershocks of magnitude 8.3 and 8.8 and an extension of the tsunami warming.
SEE ALSO:
"Indonesia Issues New Tsunami Alert for Aftershock" (AP)
"8.7 Quake Off Aceh Triggers Tsunami Alert" (Australian ABC)
"Bureau of Meteorology Says No Tsunami Alert Issued for Australian Mainland"
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