00:58:53 UTC
Resulting seismic signals received at the NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) from stations in Australia who triggered an alarm that alerted bystanders. At the same time, an Indonesian radio station reports the death of nine villagers as the result of a tsunami.
01:13 UTC
The PTWC issued a message to other observatories in the Pacific with its preliminary earthquake parameters.
01:14 UTC
The PTWC issued a bulletin providing information on the earthquake and stating there was no tsunami threat to the Pacific nations that participate in the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific (ITSU). These member nations are part of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and the International Coordination Group (ICG) for the ITSU. India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives are not part of the Pacific system.
03:23 UTC
A tsunami hits the coastal villages in Sri Lanka.
03:30 UTC
Internet newswire reports of casualties in Sri Lanka provided PTWC with the first indications of the existence of a destructive tsunami.
03:45 UTC
The PTWC received a call from a Sri Lankan Navy Commander inquiring about the potential for further tsunami waves from aftershocks.
04:00 UTC
U.S. Ambassador in Sri Lanka called PTWC to set up a notification system to prepare for the possibility of a large aftershock. He said they would contact the Sri Lankan Prime Minister's office for such notifications. Continuing news reports gave increasing and more widespread casualties.
05:25 UTC
The first reading from the Australian National Tidal Centre gauge at Cocos Island west of Australia gave a reading of 0.5m crest-to-trough.
05:45 UTC
The PTWC contacted the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and advised them about the increased earthquake magnitude and the 0.5m reading at Cocos Island, as well as the possibility of a destructive tsunami impact on Australia's west coasts.
06:00 UTC
The PTWC re-contacted PACOM to advise of increased earthquake magnitude and potential for further tsunami impacts in the western Indian Ocean.
06:15 UTC
Australia Bureau of Met called PTWC to advise they had issued an alert to their west coast.
08:15 UTC
The PTWC spoke with U.S. State Department Operations and advised them about the potential threat to Madagascar and Africa. They set up a conference call with the U.S. embassies at Madagascar and Mauritius, and PTWC advised them of the situation.
15:36 UTC
The PTWC issued a third Tsunami Information Bulletin for this event, informing the Pacific that small sea level fluctuations from the Indian Ocean tsunami were being observed in the Pacific, it is assumed caused by energy that was wrapped around the south of Australia.