Earthquake rocks Sumatra province

PADANG, Indonesia, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale struck Friday in the Indonesian province of Bengkulu on the southern coast of Sumatra.

While the quake did little damage, it was strong enough to rattle windows and shake buildings. The epicenter of the earthquake was about 45 miles offshore and 6 miles deep, Antara News Service reported.

Many residents, nervous in an area where major earthquakes have been common, reacted quickly.

"I am still traumatized," an employee of the provincial legislature said. "When I felt tremble I quickly rushed outdoors."

In September, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake killed 13 people in the province and caused millions of dollars in damage.

An earthquake measuring more than 6.0 on the Richter scale is strong enough to do significant damage in populated areas 100 miles across. Quakes of more than 7.0 magnitude are considered major and 8.0 great, both likely to take lives and bring buildings down.