Double earthquakes strike northern Sumatra near Lake Toba supervolcano

June 14, 2011 – Northern Sumatra, Indonesia –Two moderate back-to-back earthquakes have struck the northern Sumatra region just south of the Lake Toba super-volcano. The earthquakes measured a 5.3 and 5.6 magnitude and ranged in depth from 8 to 22 km.  There is no evidence the quakes are related to the super-volcano but we are monitoring the region to make sure this is not a precursor of a potential swarm. According to geologists, Lake Toba is believed to have erupted more than 77,000 years ago and was a VEI 8 event that superseded even the eruption of its sister Yellowstone. 

June 14, 2011 – KUALA LUMPUR - Two earthquakes hit northern Sumatra on Tuesday morning, sending tremors that were felt in Selangor, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Perak, Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur. The first 5.5- magnitude earthquake hit Sumatra at 8.08 am and the second 5.6 -magnitude quake hit the same place at 11.01 am on Tuesday. Calls came pouring in from Selayang Hospital, KLCC building and other high rises in the Klang Valley as many residents ran out of their buildings. However, there was no tsunami threat, said the Malaysian Meteorological Department. A fire official said the tremors were more intense from the eighth floor upwards, but added that there were no reports of damage. – The Strait Times