Chennai was shaken by mild tremors as an earthquake struck the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday morning at 7:02 AM IST.
The epicentre of the earthquake was 10 km below the sea-level, said the United States Geological Survey (USGS) data.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the earthquake measured 5.1 on the Richter scale, while the USGS measured 4.9.
The earthquake was located over 600 km east-northeast off the coast of Chennai.
No Tsunami warning has been issued.
“The epicentre was in the ocean and obviously there was no damage and as per initial assessments, it lasted for a few seconds,” Deputy Director General of Meteorology, IMD, Chennai, S Balachandran, told PTI.
“There is no tsunami warning,” the official said, adding that more details will be provided later. No damage to property has been reported.
Netizens took to Twitter to share their experiences:
We felt tremors in #chennai #porur 6.55am
— DR.NARENDRAN (@nachunaresh) February 12, 2019
Did anyone else feel the tremors in and around Chennai#earthquake
— utsav chatterjee (@utsav_deep) February 12, 2019
Just felt pretty decent tremors in Chennai.#Chennaiquake #earthquake #bayofbengal
— Anurag Singh (@anurocks_) February 12, 2019
Tremors in Chennai this morning. Did you guys feel it?
— Jarshad NK (@jarshadnk) February 12, 2019
Strangely, I was near Marina Beach Bay of Bengal but didn’t feel the tremor in the morning! #Earthquake #Chennai
— Harish R (@HarishR04984564) February 12, 2019
#Earthquake I felt that vibration around 7 am
Place : kundrathur— வெற்றிவேல் (@VetrivelanVel) February 12, 2019
#Earthquake of magnitude 5.1 hits Bay of Bengal, tremors felt in #Chennai #BayofBengal #Tamilnadu #chennaiearthquake pic.twitter.com/fcxrRQr5dl
— Raja dixon (@Rajadixon) February 12, 2019
Definitely shaking around 7.05. rekindled memories of gujarat 2000 @iamssk #chennai #earthquake https://t.co/f4P2iFbjtM
— Arun Ayyar (@arunayyar) February 12, 2019
The India Meteorological Department tweeted:
Earthquake of Magnitude:5.1, Occurred on:12-02-2019, 07:02:27 IST, Lat:14.5 N & Long: 85.7 E, Depth: 10 Km, Region: Bay Of Bengal pic.twitter.com/gGPQtGyr6w
— India Met. Dept. (@Indiametdept) February 12, 2019