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.
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
I like it!
We need more conservatives teaching and learning pure science.
Back when I took geology , montserrat hadn’t errupted so we spent most of our time talking about the Pacific Rim.
Now when I think of montserrat, I’ll have to investigate Atlantic fault lines too.
BTW, I was in CA during the 89 earthquake. Talk about a learning experience.