8.7 magnitude Sumatran quake triggers tsunami warning, tremors reported in Penang, Klang Valley

UPDATED @ 06:00:55 PM 11-04-2012

April 11, 2012

 

Screenshot of Malaysians Tweeting about tremors from Sumatran quake.

JAKARTA, April 11 — An earthquake registering 8.7 magnitude struck off the coast of Banda Aceh on Sumatra Island, triggering tsunami warnings for the whole Indian Ocean.

According to Reuters, the quake was felt as far away as the Thai capital, Bangkok and in southern India. It happened in roughly the same area as a Dec 26, 2004 quake of 9.1 magnitude that triggered huge tsunami waves into Sumatra, with 170,000 people killed.

Malaysians also felt tremors with reports coming from Penang to parts of the Klang Valley. Tweets from Pusat Bandar Damansara, Shah Alam and Petaling Jaya noted tremors being felt, especially in apartments and other high-rise buildings including Jaya One and Menara UOA Bangsar.

No tsunami warning has been made yet in Thailand, said Thai Meteorological Department deputy chief Somchai Baimoung despite tremors being felt in nearby Sri Lanka and Phuket, both areas affected by the 2004 tsunami.

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