Tremors rattle Mexico and America

A strong earthquake struck a sparsely populated area in the mountains of western Mexico on Wednesday, and caused tall buildings to sway more than 200 miles away in Mexico City.

People evacuated some buildings in the capital, but the city government said helicopter flights detected no signs of damage. Authorities in Michoacán state, where the tremor was centered, also had no immediate reports of damage.

The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported a preliminary reading of 7.0 magnitudes for the quake, but later downgraded it to 6.5.

A quake of that magnitude is capable of producing severe damage in an urban area, but this one occurred about 41 miles below the surface and a tremor's power to cause damage is often dissipated when it is so deep.

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8.7 Earthquake strikes Indonesia, India felt tremors too

An 8.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia on Wednesday, sending residents around the region dashing out of their homes and offices in fear.

A tsunami watch was issued for the whole Indian Ocean. The quake struck 308 miles (500 km) southwest of the city of Banda Aceh, on the northern tip of Indonesia's Sumatra island, at a depth of 20.5 miles (33 km), the U.S. Geological survey said.




Indonesia's disaster management agency said power was down in Aceh province and people were gathering on high ground as sirens warned of the danger.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said a tsunami watch was in effect for the entire Indian Ocean. The quake was felt as far away as the Thai capital, Bangkok, and in southern India, residents said.

Hundreds of office workers in Bangalore left their buildings, workers there saidIn Bangladesh, where two tremors were felt, authorities also said there appeared to be no threat of a tsunami.