Aftershock Hazards in Haiti. RESTON, Va. —The aftershock sequence of the magnitude-7 earthquake that struck near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Jan. 12, 2010, will continue for months, if not years. The frequency of events will diminish with time, but damaging earthquakes will remain a threat. U.S. Geological Survey Director Marcia McNutt asked a team of USGS earthquake scientists to provide an evaluation of the earthquakes facing Haiti now and in the future. Here is the statement in its entirety from the U.S.
Earthquake Hazard and Safety in Haiti and the Caribbean Region The magnitude-7 earthquake of January 12, 2010, near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, has generated a sharp increase in concerns about the potential for future earthquakes in Haiti and the surrounding region. Aftershocks: The aftershock sequence of a magnitude-7 earthquake will continue for months if not years in the affected area. These estimates will be updated as new information becomes available. Shakemap us2010rja6. Welcome to the USGS - U.S. Geological Survey. Magnitude 7.0 - HAITI REGION. Earthquake Summary Earthquake Summary Poster 2/23/10-USGS Updates Assessment of Earthquake Hazard and Safety in Haiti and the Caribbean Felt Reports According to official estimates, 316,000 people killed, 300,000 injured, 1.3 million displaced, 97,294 houses destroyed and 188,383 damaged in the Port-au-Prince area and in much of southern Haiti.
Other estimates suggest substantially lower numbers of casualties, perhaps as low as fewer than 100,000. Tectonic Summary The January 12, 2010, Haiti earthquake occurred in the boundary region separating the Caribbean plate and the North America plate. Haiti occupies the western part of the island of Hispaniola, one of the Greater Antilles islands, situated between Puerto Rico and Cuba.
The location and focal mechanism of the earthquake are consistent with the event having occurred as a combination of reverse and left-lateral strike slip faulting on the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault system. Earthquake Information for Caribbean.