7.0 Earthquake Strikes Haiti

[Miss Critter]

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti ? The largest earthquake ever recorded in the area shook Haiti on Tuesday, 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.

Many casualties expected after big quake in Haiti - Yahoo! News

 

[Lynnie]

That's a huge earthquake and sad for Haiti, one of the poorest nations in the World.

 

[Jdarg]

Some of you "old school SoWallers" know about our friend Captain Gary, who is a political analyst for the State Dept. His first gig was in Haiti during the time of terrible unrest (2005-2007), and it was not unusual to hear gunfire during phone conversations with him. He survived his stint in Haiti, and the next 2 year gig was in pleasant and quiet New Zealand. During that time, he married the wonderful woman he had met during his time in Haiti, so he of course asked for his 3rd assignment to be back there- and now we are worried. Reports sound terrible, especially for a place that is not only devastated by poverty, but seems to get hit by Mother Nature on a regular basis.

I just sent an email, but I don't expect to get an answer back very quickly as I imagine communications are probably limited at this point.

 

[Miss Critter]

From the article:

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 had not been able to get through by phone to Haiti since.

I pray for your friend's safety, jdarg.

 

[Beauty hunter]

From the article:


I pray for your friend's safety, jdarg.

Same here

 

[Lynnie]

Same here as well.

 

[30ashopper]

I had no idea there was a tectonic plate there, but when you look at the shift in the lower part of the island to the east, its obvious.

Caribbean Plate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Alicia Leonard]

Me too.

I hate this for any country, but could it have been in a place that wasn't already messed up enough like this country. People were reportedly eating dirt there last year because they were starving so badly.

 

[Jdarg]

Me too.

I hate this for any country, but could it have been in a place that wasn't already messed up enough like this country. People were reportedly eating dirt there last year because they were starving so badly.

Captain Gary has told us the saddest stories. He used to write email blogs, but as his job has become bigger and more time consuming, they are few and far between. In fact, I have not had much real news since late last summer, other than the violence has not been as bad as his since his first post.

One story that still haunts me will probably be repeated over and over in the coming days. Many people do not have the money to bury their dead, so the bodies are put out in the street and burned, to keep the roaming packs of dogs from eating them. It is a poverty that is unimaginable.

 

[DuneLaker]

That is a huge earthquake. I've been in some small 3 and 4 pointers and that is enough to rattle you good. Very scary. Will have to watch the news for more info. Lots of people out on cruises in the Caribbean right now. Guess there is a tsunami warning? or not.