Massive quakes, tsunami warnings for Indonesia

BANDA ACEH, Indonesia -- Two massive earthquakes triggered back-to-back tsunami warnings Wednesday, sending panicked residents fleeing to high ground. But no deadly waves or serious damage resulted, and a watch for much of the Indian Ocean was lifted after a few hours.

Women and children cried in Aceh, where memories are still raw of a 2004 tsunami that killed 170,000 people in the province alone. Others screamed "God is great" as they poured from their homes or searched frantically for separated family members.

Patients were wheeled out of hospitals, some still lying in their beds with drips attached to their arms.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the first 8.6-magnitude quake was a shallow 14 miles in the sea, 270 miles from Aceh's provincial capital.

An alert that followed from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii advised countries all along the rim of the Indian Ocean, from Australia and India to as far off as Africa, that a seismically charged wave could head their way.

Two deadly tsunamis in the last decade, the most recent off Japan a year ago, have left the world much better prepared.

Sirens sounded along coastlines and warnings spread like wildfire by text messaging. Evacuations, often chaotic, began, with streets clogged with traffic, especially in Aceh.

The only wave to hit, though, was less than 30 inches high, rolling to Indonesia's emptied coastline.

Just as the region was sighing relief, an 8.2-magnitude aftershock followed.

"What did we do to deserve this?" cried Aisyah Husaini, 47, who lost her parents and a son in the 2004 tsunami. "What sins have we committed?"

Again, though, the threat quickly passed.

Experts said the quakes didn't have the potential for massive tsunamis because the shaking occurred horizontally. Tectonic plates slid against each other, creating more vibration in the water.