Phuket this afternoon was rattled by the tail end of what seems to be a massive earthquake off Sumatra in Indonesia, in the same are of the fault that created the massive Asian Tsunami of 2004.
The United States Geological Survey (usgs.gov) is reporting an initial quake strength of 8.7 Richter.
So far no tsunami warning has been issued but the Us National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued the following advisory:
"Earthquakes of this size have the potential to generate a widespread destructive tsunami that can affect coastlines across the entire Indian Ocean basin.
“However, it is not known that a tsunami was generated... Authorities in the region should take appropriate action in response to the possibility of a widespread destructive tsunami.”
More to follow as we have information