Another powerful quake hits Indonesia's Sumatra
Posted: 01 October 2009 1111 hrs
JAKARTA: A major 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Sumatra island Thursday southeast of the site of an earlier powerful quake that left more than 1,000 feared dead, geologists said.
The quake hit on land at 8:52 am (0152 GMT), 225 kilometres (140 miles) southeast of the quake-hit city of Padang.
The United States Geological Survey put the quake at 6.8-magnitude.
"There are several heavily populated towns (in the area) there but no immediate reports of casualties," Indonesian geophysics and meteorology agency technical head Suharjono told AFP.
"The latest quake could have been triggered by the West Sumatra quake yesterday. The pressure from the two plates colliding might have caused the rear of either plates to break and this likely triggered the latest quake," Suharjono added.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said there was a "very small possibility" of a destructive local tsunami in the Indian Ocean.
Tremors could be felt in Singapore.
A major 7.6-magnitude quake struck off Padang on Wednesday, killing an estimated 200 and leaving over 1,000 trapped underneath collapsed buildings.
A local health minister said Thursday the number of casualties could peak at "thousands".
Rescue operations are underway.
- AFP/yb
Posted: 01 October 2009 1111 hrs
JAKARTA: A major 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Sumatra island Thursday southeast of the site of an earlier powerful quake that left more than 1,000 feared dead, geologists said.
The quake hit on land at 8:52 am (0152 GMT), 225 kilometres (140 miles) southeast of the quake-hit city of Padang.
The United States Geological Survey put the quake at 6.8-magnitude.
"There are several heavily populated towns (in the area) there but no immediate reports of casualties," Indonesian geophysics and meteorology agency technical head Suharjono told AFP.
"The latest quake could have been triggered by the West Sumatra quake yesterday. The pressure from the two plates colliding might have caused the rear of either plates to break and this likely triggered the latest quake," Suharjono added.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said there was a "very small possibility" of a destructive local tsunami in the Indian Ocean.
Tremors could be felt in Singapore.
A major 7.6-magnitude quake struck off Padang on Wednesday, killing an estimated 200 and leaving over 1,000 trapped underneath collapsed buildings.
A local health minister said Thursday the number of casualties could peak at "thousands".
Rescue operations are underway.
- AFP/yb
