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Indonesia earthquake: Where is Sumatra and where have tsunami warnings been issued? Indonesia earthquake: Where is Sumatra and where have tsunami warnings been issued?
(35 minutes later)
Where are Indonesia and Sumatra?Where are Indonesia and Sumatra?
Indonesia is situated in Southeast Asia and Oceania. The nation is made up of more than 14,000 volcanic islands and has a population estimated at 255 million people.  Indonesia is situated in southeast Asia. The nation is made up of more than 14,000 volcanic islands between Asia and Australia and has a population estimated at 255 million people. 
Sumatra, part of the Sunda Islands, is an island located in western Indonesia. It is the largest island that is entirely in Indonesia – Borneo and New Guinea are both larger but they are shared between Indonesia and other countries.Sumatra, part of the Sunda Islands, is an island located in western Indonesia. It is the largest island that is entirely in Indonesia – Borneo and New Guinea are both larger but they are shared between Indonesia and other countries.
Measuring just over 473,000 km2, Sumatra is the sixth largest island in the world. Measuring just over 473,000 km2, Sumatra is the sixth largest island in the world.
What’s happened?What’s happened?
On Wednesday, a shallow earthquake hit off the western coast of Sumatra, which according to the US Geological Service measured a magnitude of 7.9. Its centre was detected about 10km under the ocean.  On Wednesday, a shallow earthquake struck the western coast of Sumatra, which according to the US Geological Survey measured a magnitude of 7.9. Its centre was detected about 10km under the ocean. 
In 2004, a tsunami, triggered by an earthquake which hit Indonesia, killed 230,000 people across dozens of countries. Many of the deaths were in Aceh, a territory which is located at the northern end of Sumatra.  In 2004, a tsunami, triggered by a magnitude-9.1 earthquake which hit Indonesia on 26 December, killed 230,000 people across dozens of countries. Nearly 127,000 deaths were in Aceh, a territory which is located at the northern end of Sumatra. 
Are there any tsunami alerts in place?Are there any tsunami alerts in place?
As the earthquake on Wednesday afternoon was shallow, officials in Indonesia have warned that it could trigger a tsunami. Alerts have been put in place for a number of areas. As the earthquake on Wednesday afternoon was shallow, officials in Indonesia warned that it could trigger a tsunami.
A warning has been issued for west Sumatra, Aceh, Lampung, North Sumatra and Bengkulu. A Tsunami warning which had been issued for west Sumatra, Aceh, Lampung, north Sumatra and Bengkulu was later cancelled. But the International Federation of Red Cross said its branch in Indonesia was on "high alert".
The Australian government has issued a Tsunami Watch for Cape Preston to Bremer Bay, and Perth Local Waters. The country's Bureau of Meteorology has issued a marine warning for the Cocos and Christmas islands. Although Australia's Bureau of Meteorology initially issued a warning from Cape Preston to Bremer Bay, and Perth Local Waters, it was later cancelled too. Marine warnings remain in place for Cocos Islands and Christmas Island, which are located south of Indonesia in the Indian Ocean.
The Australian Federal Police said: "Evacuations from communities are not required, but people are advised to get out of the water and move away from the immediate water's edge of beaches, harbours, marinas, coastal estuaries and rock platforms."