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In graphics: Asia earthquake explained
Violent rupture
The quake occurred close to the island of Sumatra.
Two tectonic plates, the Australian and Eurasian plates, meet just off Sumatra's south-west coast, grinding together and sending periodic seismic tremors through the region.
At 0759 (0059 GMT) a violent rupture occurred on the sea floor along a fault about 1,000km long.
