Quake in Indonesia raises tsunami fears

(CNN) -- A magnitude-6.3 earthquake off the coast of Indonesia on Sunday could trigger a tsunami on coasts near its epicenter, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

The earthquake happened about 12:30 a.m. (1:30 p.m. Saturday ET) off the western coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Japan's Meteorological Agency may issue more information, the warning center said.

The epicenter was about 175 miles (281 kilometers) south of Banda Aceh -- in a region hard-hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004.

"A destructive, widespread tsunami threat does not exist based on historical earthquake and tsunami data," said an information bulletin issued by the tsunami warning center.

"However, there is a very small possibility of a local tsunami that could affect coasts located usually no more than 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the earthquake epicenter," the bulletin said. "Authorities in the region near the epicenter should be made aware of this possibility." E-mail to a friend

All About Sumatra • Indian Ocean • Banda Aceh