USGS Raises Estimate to 8.7; possible tsunami towards Mauritius, Rodrigues, Sri Lanka

CNN is reporting that the US Geological Survey has raised its estimate of the earthquake's strength to 8.7 on the Richter Scale. The article goes on to say that a small tsunami may be on its way towards Mauritius. "We think this event probably ruptured to the south, with the beam of energy probably propagated to the south toward Mauritius and the Rodrigues," said Robert Cessaro of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Additionally, the Sri Lankan government warns that a tsunami may reach the country's coastline around 3am local time Tuesday. Meanwhile, they have just reported that at least 50 people have died on the island of Nias. andy carvin