Tsunami warning: large quake hits south of Java

April 4, 2011

Indonesian seismologists issued a tsunami warning after an earthquake struck in the Indian Ocean south of the island of Java early on Monday.

Indonesia's Meteorology and Geophysics Agency said that the quake was 10km deep and had a magnitude of 7.1, with its epicentre 293km south west of Cilacap in central Java.

The quake had the potential to cause a tsunami, it said, asking recipients of its public alert SMS to warn other people of the danger.

The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said there was no risk of a widespread destructive wave, but there was a "very small possibility of a local tsunami".

The US Geological Survey measured the quake at 6.7. The organisation said it was located 277km south of Tasikmalaya in West Java and 241km east-north-east of Christmas Island.