Indonesia shaken by second quake

The second earthquake in as many days struck western Indonesia, causing butterflies to flutter in the stomachs of Southeast Asian travel and tourism sectors. Officials in the affected areas have reassured their stockholders that the tsunami warning that was issued after the tremor would not be damaging in any way near the devastating wave of winter 2004.

The quake was felt as far away as Singapore, where skyscrapers wobbled as if slow dancing with the wind. Closer to the source, people fled the Indonesian coast by any means available. The damage was localized to the western coasts of Java and Sumatra and was the strongest quake of the year, measuring 8.4 on the Richter scale.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center is located in Hawaii, and its data warned that coasts as far as Africa could be affected. Countries exposed to the Indian Ocean were on alert and prepared to flee if necessary. Indonesia still had a warning in place on Thursday, but most of the other warnings has been removed.