Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake rattles Indonesia
Wed, Feb 20, 2008
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Feburary 20, 2008 (Bangkok)
By Sajal Kayan for thaindian.com
A Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake with its epicenter at Simeulue struck Indonesia today 03:08:31 PM (Thai time). People from Medan(310 KM from epicenter) have informed thaindian.com about feeling the tremors in Medan. Simeulue is an Island 150 km of the west coast of Sumatra.
Simeulue was also dangerously close to the epicenter of the
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, which caused the massive
tsunami, the people in the region are
familiar with earthquakes and tsunamis. Local folklore has it that a huge earthquake and tsunami hit Simeulue in 1907, killing many of its inhabitants. Many died when people rushed to the beach when they saw the water recede, exposing the coral and fish. They went to collect the fish not realizing that the water would come back with a vengeance.
Simeule Island is also very close to
Nias Island where the quake on March 28, 2005 is regarded as the
second-most powerful earthquake in the world since 1965
The epicenter of the quake being so close to
Sumatra, caused tremors all over Sumatra.
The epicenter is relatively close to Major cities like
Singapore and
Kuala Lumpur.
At the time of writing, there has been no reports of any
Tsunami Warning or any reports of
tremors felt in Thailand.
Thaindian.com will keep you updated of any developments
If you felt this quake you can share your experience in the comments.
Links:-
USGS :
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2008nran.php
Simeule : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simeulue
