Indian Ocean Tsunami Alert

A quake with a magnitude of 8.6 triggered the initial warning, which was renewed after another quake a few hours later measuring 8.3. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) has advised national authorities across the Indian Ocean region to "take appropriate action". But there have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The region is regularly hit by earthquakes. The Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 killed 170,000 people in Aceh alone and some 250,000 around the region.

The US Geological Survey (USGS), which documents quakes worldwide, said the first Aceh quake was centred at a depth of 33km (20 miles), about 495km from Banda Aceh, the provincial capital.
 there were reports of the ground shaking for up to five minutes.
It was initially reported as 8.9 magnitude but was later revised down to 8.6 by the USGS. Quake officials said a tsunami had been generated and was heading for the coast of Aceh and that sea level readings indicated a tsunami was generated and that it "may already have been destructive along some coasts".

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had told reporters in the capital, Jakarta, that there had been no tsunami reports so far, "but we remain vigilant".
"Our warning system is working well, and I have ordered the national relief team to fly immediately to Aceh to ensure the situation is under control and to take any necessary action," he said.
A few hours later, the PTWC renewed its warning after a major aftershock measuring 8.3 struck 16km (10 miles) beneath the ocean floor and 615km from Banda Aceh. There were also reports of further aftershocks.