Saturday, January 1 2005 14:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: A series of earthquakes, measuring between 5.0 and 6.3 on the Richter scale, jolted the region from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Sumatra since late last night (Dec 31, 2004), raising the number of aftershocks in the area after Sunday's massive quake to over 80.

While two earthquakes of moderate intensity occurred near Car Nicobar, two more had their epicenter near the Great Nicobar Island, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said in New Delhi.

The strongest measuring 6.3 on the Richter Scale, was recorded at 1156 hours to the West of Great Nicobar today. It had followed a 5.5 intensity trembler epicentered South of Great Nicobar.

The quakes had their epicenter at 5.6 degrees North Latitude and 9.7 degrees East Longitude and 6.0 degrees North and 93.2 degrees East respectively.

Aftershocks measuring 5.2 and 5.0 on the Richter Scale earlier shook the Car Nicobar region at 2332 hours last night and at 0340 hours early today respectively, the Met Department said.

While the epicentre of the first quake was at 8.1 degrees North Latitude and 92.0 degrees East Longitude, the other was epicentred at 9.28 degrees North and 92.87 degrees East, it said.

Meanwhile, at 0726 hours IST today, a 5.2 intensity quake occurred off the West Coast of Sumatra. It was epicentered at 4.3 degrees North Latitude and 94.6 degrees East Longitude.

No casualties or damage to property because of these aftershocks have been reported so far.