Travellers and locals in Thailand and Indonesia have returned to their homes and vacation spots after a tsunami warning prompted by two earthquakes off the coast of Indonesia’s Aceh province was lifted.

The warning was issued to countries across the Indian Ocean yesterday after an 8.6 magnitude quake erupted but was lifted two hours after the second 8.2 magnitude aftershock was recorded in the same area, ABC Newcastle reported.

The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said “the threat is over for most areas” with Indonesia’s island, Simeulue sitting closest to the earthquake and receiving a massive wave of up to 80 centimetres along its shore.

Although concerns dimmed down quickly, for many locals the warning brought back memories from 2004, when a tsunami triggered by a 9.1 magnitude quake caused mass destruction.