FOG BLOG WORLD NEWS LOG: HUGE 7.3 EARTHQUAKE OFF COAST OF INDONESIA!

7.3 magnitude earthquake hits off coast of Indonesia...A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off Indonesia's eastern coast on Tuesday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), prompting people in nearby towns to run into the streets and seek higher ground.

The quake hit 112 kilometers (69 miles) north of Maumere, on Indonesia's Flores Island. The USGS said it struck at a depth of 18.5 kilometers (11 miles) in the Flores Sea at 10:20 a.m. local time (10:20 p.m. ET).

Based on the preliminary earthquake parameters, the US-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said, "hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) of the earthquake epicenter."

The head of Indonesia's Meteorological, Climatological, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) Dwikorita Karnawati, later confirmed a tsunami warning had ended.

She said 15 aftershocks have been reported so far, the strongest of which was 5.6 magnitude.

Those living on the northern coastline should move to a higher place if they feel a strong tremor lasting more than 10 seconds, Dwikorita said.