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Possible Tsunami after 8.4 magnitude earthquake



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Sep 12 2007
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CNN reported that at least three people are dead in Sumatra as a result of an 8.4-magnitude earthquake that shook buildings across Indonesia and sparked widespread panic earlier today. A small tsunami was detected in Padang, on Sumatra – several hundred miles northeast of the epicenter, measured about 60 cm (2 feet high), much smaller than the devastating tsunami that struck in 2004 – according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

Indonesia’s meteorological center said the small tsunami was not a concern and canceled its tsunami alert several hours after the quake struck, but it issued a new alert after a strong aftershock occurred at 9:40 p.m. (1440 GMT). The U.S. Geological Survey estimated the aftershock at 6.0.

The quake in the Indian Ocean shook buildings in Jakarta nearly 640 kilometers (400 miles) away from the epicenter off the coast of Sumatra and sent frightened people into the streets. Many buildings along Sumatra’s western coast collapsed as the heavily Muslim country prepared for Islam’s holy month of Ramadan, set to start in the coming days.

Wednesday’s quake was about 10 times smaller than the 9.0-magnitude temblor that caused the giant tsunami off the northern tip of Indonesia in 2004 that killed more than 200,000 people in seven countries rimming the Indian Ocean. The quake was strong enough, however, to be felt in Malaysia and Thailand. High-rise buildings were evacuated in Singapore, 1,100 km northeast of the epicenter.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Meteorological Department has advised people in the northern states of Perlis, Kedah, Perak and Penang to move away from beaches as a safety precaution against a possible tsunami .



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