Sumatra Earthquake Magnitude 7.8 Northern Sumatra April 6-7 2010

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake has struck Northern Sumatra according to the USGS at 5:15 a.m. Sumatra time, 6:15 p.m. EDT on April 7th local, April 6th in the U.S.  Some 45 minutes after the earthquake there are no early reports of injury or damage. Continuing updates as available.

Sumatra Earthquake - Magnitude 7.8

According to the USGS, the region is Northern Sumatra, Indonesia, 145 miles SW of Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia, 125 miles WNW of Sibolga, Sumatra, Indonesia. The depth of the quake's epicenter occurred at 28.6 miles beneath the Indian Ocean.

FOX News has David Piper (7:00 p.m. EDT) reporting that if there is a tsunami, it will happen on the western coast of Sumatra within the next hour.

A tsunami warning is not in effect for Alaskan coasts, California, Oregon, Washington or British Columbia.

Update 7:40 p.m. EDT:
A tsunami warning has just been issued for Thailand.

Update 9:30 p.m. EDT: The tsunami alert for Sumatra has been lifted. Still no reports of injuries.

Fauzi, an official at the meterology agency's Jakarta office who uses a single name, said there were no immediate reports of damage or casualities but officials were monitoring the situation.

Local media reports said the quake, which struck as people in the region were preparing for morning prayers, caused panic in North Sumatra's capital of Medan and other cities in the province. Electricity was cut in Medan.