Major magnitude 7.3 quake hits Haiti - USGS (Breaking!)

Reuters UK ^ | 01/12/2010 | n/a

[Route797]

A tsunami down there would be more like flushing a toilet from what I’ve seen of Haiti, kind of like a really run-down New Orleans or Detroit if you can imagine such squalor.

The nation may be squalid, but the people of Haiti are just as valuable as the people of the USA. God is no respecter of persons.

[Bon mots]

Well, it’s not exactly like Haiti is a built up area...

I understand fully that it is a populous area, but what I meant is that it is not a "built up" area like, say, Singapore:

Singapore

In that sense, Port Au Prince will look pretty much the same after an earthquake as before.

Port Au Prince

[mware]

I teach Earth Science to 6th graders.

We are just finishing up the unit on Earthquakes. Between all that geologic activity in California and now this, the kids will have lots of question tomorrow in class.

[DCPatriot]

Prayers for the Haitians.

Prayers for all of the people in Guantanamo...next door.

[UCANSEE2]

IRIS used to be my favorite site to view Earthquakes.

But a few days ago, GLOCK ROCKS linked me to this software.

http://www.wolton.net/quake.html

Download it (doesn’t take but a few seconds) and run it.

Instantly updated EARTHQUAKES in 3D with complete controls over the visuals. It is, as GLOCK ROCKS says, AWESOME!!!!

[Ramius]

From ABC via Google news:

Major catastrophe as earthquake smashes Haiti
Posted 56 minutes ago
Updated 23 minutes ago

Damage reported: A map showing the earthquake location in Haiti (ABC News)
Haiti’s ambassador to the US says a “catastrophe of major proportions” is unfolding in his country this morning after a major 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit near the capital Port-au-Prince.

The epicentre of the quake, which was initially reported off the coast, was located inland, 10km west of Carrefour, close to the capital, and was only 30km deep.

An AFP correspondent said the ground shook for more than a minute.

An AFP correspondent in Petionville said one three-storey building was toppled, and a tractor was already at the scene trying to dig out victims as people fled onto the streets in panic. The up-scale area is home to many foreign diplomats and members of a major United Nations mission to the country.

“Just experienced a MAJOR earthquake here in Port au Prince - walls were falling down. - we are ALL fine - pray for those in the slums,” Twitter user Troy Livesay wrote this morning.

Other reports say at least one hospital has collapsed.

The quake was followed by at least two weaker aftershocks.

A major earthquake of magnitude 7 or higher is capable of causing widespread and heavy damage. There was no immediate report of damage or casualties.

A tsunami watch is in effect for Haiti, Cuba, The Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.

“A destructive widespread tsunami threat does not exist based on historical earthquake and tsunami data,” the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said.

“However, there is the possibility of a local tsunami that could affect coasts located usually no more than a 100 kilometres from the earthquake epicentre.”

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/13/2791129.htm

[bert]

In my mind, the tsunami magnitude is a function of the relative displacement. At some location the elevation along both sides of the line change. The water displaced is a function the new elevation of the sea floor.

If the sea floor rises 10 feet, there will be more water displaced than if it only rises 5 feet.

If it occurs all on land, no displaced water, no tsunami.

[UCANSEE2]

Try this:

http://www.wolton.net/quake.html

[Petronski]

In that sense, Port Au Prince will look pretty much the same after an earthquake as before.

I disagree again, and I can't help but wonder about your sensitivity to the problem.

What do you think happens to these homes in a shallow 7.0 mag quake? To the people in them?

[UCANSEE2]

Show them this.

http://www.wolton.net/quake.html

[don-o]

Amen. Thank you.

[mware]

Thanks for the link.

[UCANSEE2]

I used to use IRIS all the time.

Now I use this.

http://www.wolton.net/quake.html

It’s like going from a Volkswagen to a 747.

[Ramius]

Well put.

[djf]

Wow!

Technically, not a “great earthquake”, but still a very significant event for that part of the world.

Hopefully not enough to stir up any rumblings in New Madrid!!

[1_Rain_Drop]

If you are poor and have nothing, those little huts are palaces. People built them with their own hands. A lot of work and time goes into getting the material and building.

Have a heart towards fellow human beings.

[John W]

The nice thing about CNN’s viewership problems is, at a time like this, very few people hear Wolf Blized place Guantanamo at the far west end of Cuba.

[oldleft]

Actually, third world countries tend to do fairly well in earthquakes due to single story construction with lightweight materials. Developed nations do well also due to the high standards of engineering.

The cities and countries which fare the worst are the ones that are in the middle, trying to be developed without the materials or engineering. Cities such as Tehran and New Delhi are considered particularly vulnerable.

[bert]

Apparently not.

[Hexenhammer]

small quakes are fairly common, ones this size are damned rare.

prayers to the good folks of Haiti, this is the last thing they need.