Breaking news of a large earthquake in the Indian Ocean near Indonesia has triggered tsunami warnings for the region. It is not yet known if the quake, with initial reports giving a magnitude of 8.7 – 8.9 on the Richter scale, has generated a tsunami. However, authorities in countries around the Indian ocean have been advised to take appropriate steps.

UPDATE HERE. Tsunami generated after Indonesia quake, scale and effects still unknown

A bulletin from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reads “an Indian Ocean wide tsunami watch is in effect." The center has issued a warning to countries all around the Indian Ocean, covering Asia and East Africa.

The same areas devastated by the 2004 tsunami that killed hundreds of thousands could be hit again if a tsunami is generated. The earthquake's epicenter was off the North Sumatra province Aceh. According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center “earthquakes of this size have the potential to generate a widespread destructive tsunami that can affect coastlines across the entire Indian Ocean Basin.”

Liam Lever, liam@romania-insider.com

 (photo source: Sxc.hu)