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7.8 Earthquake Shakes Indonesia

   VOA News 06 April 2010
   Location of Indonesia earthquake

Photo: USGS

   Location of Indonesia earthquake

   A 7.8 magnitude earthquake has jolted the Indonesian island of Sumatra
   and triggered a local tsunami watch.
   The   U.S.  Geological  Survey  says  the  quake  struck  before  dawn
   Wednesday.  It  was  centered  about  205  kilometers northwest of the
   island, 46 kilometers under the Indian Ocean.
   The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says a local tsunami watch has been
   issued, but a widespread destructive tsunami is not expected.
   There  is  no word yet on damage or casualties. But witnesses report a
   power blackout on Simeulue Island, west of Aceh province.
   Sumatra is the largest Indonesian island. A 9.1 magnitude quake struck
   off  Aceh in December, 2004, triggering a historic tsunami that killed
   226,000 people.
   Indonesia  is  located  in the Pacific Ocean's so-called Ring of Fire,
   where  the  continental  plates  meet.  This  creates  conditions  for
   frequent  earthquake  and  volcanoes from Asia to the American Pacific
   coasts.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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