Magnitude 8.7 earthquake, off Sumatra.

[Red Hal]

Tsunami watch in effect for area. If a tsunami does occur, it is forecast to hit Banda Aceh in about 40 minutes. Warning text here: http://ptwc.weather.gov/ptwc/text.php?i ... 04.11.0845 Anyone in the area be alert and stay safe.

[Steax]

Everything looks good and there is an insanely small amount of damage so far. We're utterly shocked down here (I work with some geologists). There's been a significant aftershock too, though, and we're waiting for that.

Probably the most amazing bit is how things changed from 2004. Alarms finally put to the test and worked. Within a few minutes people were in bunkers all the way up to India.

[Angua]

I'm glad you're ok, Steax.

[Steax]

Thanks. I'm fine, but the panic with my coworkers were insane. Two significant earthquakes within an hour of each other, and our worst fears came true: people were busy reveling in the relief of no tsunami when a second quake took place. Looks like no second tsunami will be there, either, which is... good to hear, at least.

How about other forumites in the region? Has anyone from Singapore (mieulium?) felt it?

What's scary was this was almost exactly in the same spot as the 2004 one. When the last thing with equal circumstances kills 200 thousand people, everyone was going bonkers about it.

[Jplus]

I, too, am glad that you're alright and I hope the other forumites from the region are too.