We at NetHope have been monitoring the situation following the two massive earthquakes that struck approx. 400km off the coast of Indonesia earlier today. Although the magnitude of the quakes was very high, they seem not to have caused any significant damage in countries around the epicenter. Local authorities in Indonesia have deployed advanced teams to the area closest to the EQ to assess the situation, but so far there are no reports of major damage.
Due to the earthquake not being caused by a subduction zone rift (like the 2004 quake and the 2011 Japan quake), but rather by a "strike slip" the threat of tsunamis was much lower. Early warning systems seem to have worked well with people seeking refuge at higher grounds. The highest reported waves so far are around 80cm high and they don't seem to have caused major damage either. Scientists are however very surprised that a strike slip can cause this high magnitude quakes and that may cause them to have to rethink threat models for such quakes in the future.
Most local authorities around the Indian Ocean have lifted the tsunami warnings, but we will continue to monitor the situation as it develops over the next 12-18 hours.
