7.7 EARTHQUAKE STRIKES INDIA!

SOURCE: [link to edition.cnn.com]

7.5-magnitude quake strikes off India coast
June 12, 2010 -- Updated 2214 GMT (0614 HKT)


New Delhi, India (CNN) -- A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of India early Sunday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

A local tsunami watch for India was issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, but was later canceled.

"Man, that felt scary. My whole bed shook," said Inderjith Mathivanan in Chennai, India, who felt the tremor last for about four seconds.

The quake struck around 1 a.m. local time about 150 km (95 miles) west of the Nicobar Islands at a depth of 35 km (22 miles). It was downgraded by USGS from an earlier magnitude of 7.7.

A receptionist at the Marine Hill, Port Blair SeaShell Hotel on the islands described the quake as "a little bit shaking, the land." Sumit Govind said the quake caused no damages to the islands.

Police confirmed no loss of life or damage on the Andaman or Nicobar Islands.

Officials are monitoring the situation and are ramping up patrols in the area, police said.