Sumatra 8.6 Magnitude Earthquake Was Largest Within-Plate Quake In Observed History

An 8.6 magnitude earthquake occurred 62 miles off the coast of Sumatra on April 11th, 2012. Along with being severe by any measure, in one way it was the largest earthquake in observed human history; it originated within the plate rather than at a plate boundary. The quake originated under the Wharton Basin in the Indian Ocean, where hundreds of miles of rock were under crushing tension, causing the plate to deform at its base. This 'deforming zone' was also absorbing tension as two plates, the Indian and Australian plates, rotated toward each other.  read more

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