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Earthquake hits Haiti

The Drain

Master Poster
The Drain
Joined
Dec 12, 2005
Messages
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Big earthquake hits Haiti

This looks really serious. I've been trying to contact a work colleague in Port-au-Prince, but can't get through. The mobile phone networks are down.

This from the BBC:


BBC:
A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Haiti, rocking the capital and sparking a tsunami alert for neighbouring states. Haiti's envoy to the US said it was a "catastrophe of major proportions" as reports from the capital spoke of casualties and damage.
The tremor hit at 1653 (2153 GMT), about 15km (10m) south-west of Port-au-Prince, the US Geological Survey said.
A hospital and other buildings are reported to have collapsed.
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That's a powerful earthquake. I didn't know Haiti was so seismically active.
 
Neither did I, but those are pretty strong aftershocks. Hopefully aid and emergency services are up to it.
 
Hope everyone's OK. We went through a 7.1 in 1989 and it did moderate damage to a region that (for the most part) is prepared. The good news is they don't expect a tsunami:

To: U.S. and Canadian Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico coastal regions
From: NOAA/NWS/West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center
Subject: Tsunami Information Statement #1 issued 01/12/2010 at 6:03PM AST

A strong earthquake has occurred, but a tsunami IS NOT expected along the coasts of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico states, and Eastern Canadian provinces. NO tsunami warning, watch or advisory is in effect for these areas.

Based on the earthquake location, magnitude, and historic tsunami records, a damaging tsunami IS NOT expected along the Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, U.S. Atlantic, Eastern Canadian and Gulf of Mexico coasts. Earthquakes of this size can generate destructive tsunamis along the coast near the epicenter. Authorities in the epicentral region should be aware of this possibility and take appropriate action.

At 5:53 PM Atlantic Standard Time on January 12, an earthquake with preliminary magnitude 7.3 occurred in the Haiti region . (Refer to the United States Geological Survey for official earthquake parameters.)

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach, Hawaii will issue messages for areas in the Caribbean outside Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

This will be the only statement issued for this event by the West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center unless conditions warrant. See the WCATWC web site for basic tsunami information, safety rules, and a tsunami travel time map and table. (NOTE: Travel time maps and tables indicate forecasted times only, not that a wave was generated.)
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http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/2010/01/12/333319/01/message333319-01.htm

ETA: USGS has downgraded it to 7.0

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqinthenews/2010/us2010rja6/
 
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From what I've gathered from here and there on the internet is that a hospital in Port Au Prince collapsed as well as the parliament building and a 7 story building. There's also tens of dollars worth of damages in the shanty towns...
 
Sam.I.Am said:
From what I've gathered from here and there on the internet is that a hospital in Port Au Prince collapsed as well as the parliament building and a 7 story building. There's also tens of dollars worth of damages in the shanty towns...
Click to expand...

I read about the hospital, but not the parliament building. Undoubtedly, not very stringent construction practices. From what I have read so far, the epicenter was on the island itself making it that much more devastating.
 
From what I understand, they haven't had a quake like this in about 200 years. You combine that with the poor economic conditions in Haiti, and - pardon the pun - it's a recipe for disaster when something like this comes along. They not only don't have any recent experience in dealing with earthquakes like this, but even if they did they don't have the economic infrastructure to prepare for it or deal with the aftermath.

Damn, what a mess.
 
Just seeing some video on the news now, what a tragedy.

ETA:

It seems the epicenter was right at the capital of Port-au-Prince.
 
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Dammit, it's one disaster after another that hits Haïti. Please, everyone, try to donate to the Red Cross.
 
AJM8125 said:
Starting to look real bad. :(



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...staff-missing-as-UN-headquarters-damaged.html
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That image was from the Chinese quake a year ago. A couple of news outlets made the same mistake.

Same picture, different story.

This is from Haiti (the presidential palace).

Before:

tll2w4247779.jpg


After:

gcytv4056280.jpg
 
CNN is falling all over themselves in a frenzy. There is actually news that is not some stupid celebrity or politician behaving badly. Anderson Cooper is on the air almost boasting that he's going to board a late night flight and try and drive to the capital overland via the Dominican Republic.

Hi ho silver!
 
Kopji said:
CNN is falling all over themselves in a frenzy. There is actually news that is not some stupid celebrity or politician behaving badly. Anderson Cooper is on the air almost boasting that he's going to board a late night flight and try and drive to the capital overland via the Dominican Republic.

Hi ho silver!
Click to expand...

Likely this will result in a drop in their ratings.
 
Where do I send money?

Pardalis said:
Dammit, it's one disaster after another that hits Haïti. Please, everyone, try to donate to the Red Cross.
Click to expand...

I want to donate money to help the Hatians. Is the Red Cross the group to give it to? I remember the scandal when donations to help 9/11 victims weren't all used for that.
 
I'd guess the Red Cross has gotten their act together since the 9/11 screwup. I'll be donating to them later today.
 
Sam.I.Am said:
From what I've gathered from here and there on the internet is that a hospital in Port Au Prince collapsed as well as the parliament building and a 7 story building. There's also tens of dollars worth of damages in the shanty towns...
Click to expand...
*Gollum voice*

While we loves us a bit of gallows humor in the morning, Precious, we are very sad to see that a hospital collapsed. Not good for the patients there, not good for people who will need treatment soon.

Prediction: USNS Mercy or USNS Comfort will be deployed to assist. Probably an amphib flotilla as well.

DR
 
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