Preliminary
Earthquake Report by USGS
Magnitude 7.0 HAITI REGION
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
On
January 12, 2010,
PORT-AU-PRINCE,
Haiti - The largest earthquake ever recorded in the area shook
Haiti on Tuesday, January 12, 2010, collapsing a hospital where
people screamed for help. Other buildings also were damaged and
scientists said they expected "substantial damage and casualties."
With
communications disrupted there were no reports of deaths or injuries
soon after the quake, as powerful aftershocks shook the country.
The
earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.0 and was centered
about 10 miles (15 kilometers) west of the capital of Port-au-Prince,
the U.S. Geological Survey said. It had a depth of 5 miles (8
kilometers). It was the largest quake recorded in the area, said
USGS analyst Dale Grant, and the last major one since a magnitude-6.7
temblor in 1984.
An Associated Press videographer saw the wrecked hospital in Petionville,
a hillside Port-au-Prince district that is home to many diplomats
and wealthy Haitians. Elsewhere, a U.S. government official reported
seeing houses that had tumbled into a ravine.
Haiti's
ambassador to the U.S., Raymond Joseph, said from his Washington
office that he spoke to President Rene Preval's chief of staff,
Fritz Longchamp, just after the quake hit. He said Longchamp told
him that "buildings were crumbling right and left" near the national
palace. He said he has not gotten through by phone to Haiti since.
The
following CNN video shows that the Haiti is in need for emergency
support as much as all they can get now.
CNN
Channel
1218
Yahoo
reported that Don Blakeman, an analyst at the USGS in Golden,
Colorado, said such a strong quake carried the potential for widespread
damage.
"I think we are going to see substantial damage and casualties,"
he said.
See
below the USGS Community Internet Intensity Map for Haiti Region.
It was analyzed on January 13, 2010 at 2: 58 PM.
The
Wikipedia reported that the capital city Port-Au-Princehe was
devastated by the earthquake. A tsunami warning was issued by
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Pacific
Tsunami Warning Center for outlying regions but was later cancelled.
Multiple aftershocks have hit the area, including one measuring
magnitude 5.9. It was reported on BBC News that the Presidential
Palace, the Haitian Parliament, many ministry buildings, along
with schools, hospitals and numerous other buildings have collapsed
in the quake.
The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a scientific
agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused
on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere which warns
of dangerous weather, charts seas and skies, guides the use and
protection of ocean and coastal resources, and conducts research
to improve understanding and stewardship of the environment.
Many
communities and non-profit organizations are already requesting
the contributions and prayers for
those who are affected by a disastrous Earthquake.
The following web addresses to provide information and handle
donations for victims throughout the region and for many other
reasons. You may choose one of these organizations to support.
MSNBC
USA
is already sending disastrous Earthquake humanitarian support.
No communication is available in Haiti and difficult to get the
worst ever in Haiti's 7.0 earthquake and the Haiti is crying to
get support as soon as possible. The palace, school, many big
companies are distoryed. The media is reporting that they Need
help and support for the humanitarian support as much as they
can get to help their suffer that they have now and rescue as
soon as possible..........
