[JimSEA]

You might be thinking of Port Royal in Jamaica. It was totally destroyed and largely submerged as the result of an earthquake sometime in the 17th century. This is quite close to Haiti and likely puts perspective to the newsfolks assertion that earthquakes are not common in the area. A subduction zone is int the trenches just north of Hispaniola and there are very active Caribbean plate volcanoes.

[Strategerist]

This is quite close to Haiti and likely puts perspective to the newsfolks assertion that earthquakes are not common in the area

I saw a crawl on CNN claiming it was the largest quake in recorded history in the area, which is patently false.

There was a similar quake in Haiti, likely on the same fault in 1751. Hispaniola is riddled with faults. Actually the fault this quake occured on, the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden Fault, is the one that extends to Jamaica and was associated with the Port Royal earthquake.

[mware]

Jim,I stand corrected it was Port Royal that was totally desroyed, and also the pirate haven.

It has been a while since I saw the History Channel special on pirates.