http://www.boston.com/dailynews/347/world/Earthquake_in_Southern_Ocean_l:.shtml

Earthquake in Southern Ocean largest in 50 years, says Australian seismologist

By Associated Press, 12/13/2001 01:25

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) An earthquake in the Southern Ocean registered the largest earthquake of its kind in at least 50 years, a seismologist said Thursday.

The Australian Seismology Center said the magnitude-7 quake occurred in the Southern Ocean about 620 miles south of Albany on the south coast of Western Australia state at 10:00 p.m. Wednesday.

It was widely felt in the Albany and Esperance areas, but no damage was reported.

''It wasn't large enough to have caused damage along the coast, or a tsunami. But it was quite an interesting earthquake because it is the largest earthquake to have occurred where it did,'' said the center's Mark Leonard.

Leonard said larger earthquakes have occurred in the Southern Ocean, but in an area about 370 miles to 430 miles away.

''It is the largest in that site for 50 years, that's the time period we can be sure of,'' he said.

A quake of magnitude 7 could cause major damage if centered near a populated area.

-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001