More than 90 aftershocks hit quake area

DENVER, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale hit the Nicobar Islands area of the Indian Ocean early Friday, U.S. scientists reported.

That quake brings the total number of aftershocks in the area to 97 -- including four later events Friday afternoon and evening -- since last Sunday's massive 9.2 quake wreaked widespread destruction in Indonesia, Thailand, India and Sri Lanka, due to tsunamis triggered by the resulting seismic movement.

The aftershocks have registered from magnitude 4.4, which is equivalent to the release of about 5,000 tons of TNT at the epicenter, to 7.1, or equivalent to the detonation of a 60-megaton nuclear bomb.

According to scientists at the U.S. National Earthquake Data Center, the 7.1 magnitude quake, which occurred less than 24 hours after the main quake, was the seventh strongest seismic event in the world during 2004. The scientists said aftershocks probably will continue to hit the area for at least several more days.