Indonesia rocked by huge quake

September 12, 2007

Indonesian television reported that buildings had collapsed in coastal towns in Western Sumatra, which bore the brunt of the underwater earthquake. The 8.2 tremor sparked panic and tsunami warnings across the Indian Ocean. Two smaller temblors subsequently shook the region. Indonesia suffers frequent quakes, lying on an active seismic belt on part of the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire". A huge earthquake struck the same area on Dec. 26, 2004, causing a massive tsunami which killed over 230,000 people in countries across the region.