Tsunami warning for Cocos and Christmas Islands

A second major earthquake measuring 7.6 off the coast of southern Sumatra in Indonesia has prompted a tsunami warning for Australia's Cocos and Christmas Islands.

Christmas Island could be affected by 9:15am WST and The Cocos Islands could be affected by 9:30am WST.

The Bureau of Meteorology is warning that beaches and harbours and low-lying areas at Cocos Islands could be affected by rising water levels

Residents are being urged to find a safe area they can move to if necessary.

The second quake was reportedly centred in an area just north of the first quake which hit the Sumatra region last night, measuring 8.2 on the Ritcher scale.

Tsunami warnings have also been issued for India and Sri Lanka.