Haiti: Another Earthquake Rattles Country

Caribbean Plate

Digital News Report – Another earthquake, this time 5.9 on the Richter scale, shook the Island of Hispaniola Wednesday morning. Originally the news reports pegged the quake at 6.1 in magnitude, but the U.S. Geological Survey has since downgraded it.

The earthquake, which struck at 6:03 am local time, was located 35 miles (60 km) west-southwest of Port-au-Prince. The quake was centered at 18.385°N, 72.870°W at a depth of 6.2 miles (10 km).

That January 12th earthquake, which turned many of the buildings into rubble, may have killed 200,000 people, according to Haiti-News.net. There were no initial reports of injury or damage from today’s tumbler, but most Haitians were already moved to the streets and open areas since the last major 7.0 earthquake hit eight days ago.

“People camping in the streets of Port au Prince ran away from the already damaged buildings when the low vibration of the earthquake was first heard,” the Haiti News report stated.

The United States is promising more aid. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said he signed orders to send more U.S. ships to the region. These ships will carry cranes and other equipment to help move debris.

By: Mark Williams