2010 Haiti earthquake

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2010 Haiti earthquake
Downtown Port-au-Prince, after the earthquake (top)
The epicenter of the earthquake (bottom)
Date 16:53:10, 12 January 2010 (−05:00) (2010-01-12T16:53:10−05:00)
21:53:10, 12 January 2010 (UTC) (2010-01-12T21:53:10Z)
Magnitude 7.0 Mw
Depth 13 kilometres (8.1 mi)
Epicenter location 18°27′25″N 72°31′59″W / 18.457°N 72.533°W / 18.457; -72.533Coordinates: 18°27′25″N 72°31′59″W / 18.457°N 72.533°W / 18.457; -72.533
Countries or regions affected Haiti
Max. intensity MM X[1] on the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault system.[2]
Casualties Estimated deaths range from 45,000–50,000 (Red Cross)[3] up to 200,000 (Haitian government)[4]

The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake centred near Léogâne, about 25 kilometres (16 mi) west of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. It happened at 16:53:10 local time (21:53:10 UTC) on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.[1] The earthquake occurred at a depth of 13 kilometres (8.1 mi). The United States Geological Survey recorded a series of, at least, 33 aftershocks. Fourteen of them had magnitudes between 5.0 and 5.9. Scientists predict these to continue for at least two weeks after the first event.[5] The International Red Cross estimated that about three million people were affected,[6] and the Haitian Interior Minister believes that up to 200,000 have died as a result of the disaster,[7] exceeding earlier Red Cross estimates of 45,000–50,000.[3] Several prominent public figures are within the dead.

The earthquake caused major damage to Port-au-Prince. Most major landmarks were significantly damaged or destroyed, including the Presidential Palace, the National Assembly building, the Port-au-Prince Cathedral, and the main jail.[8][9][10] The current president of Haiti, René Préval survived. Most hospitals in the area were destroyed, which makes the situation worse.[11] The United Nations (UN) reported that the headquarters of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), located in the capital, had collapsed and that the Mission's Chief, Hédi Annabi, his deputy, and the acting police commissioner were confirmed dead.[12][13] Elisabeth Byrs of the UN called it the worst disaster the United Nations has experienced because the organizational structures of the UN in Haiti and the Haitian government were destroyed.[14]

[change] Response

Appeals for aid were issued by the International Red Cross, the Salvation Army,[15] the United Nations[16] and president René Préval.[17] Raymond Joseph, Haiti's ambassador to the United States,[18] and his nephew, singer Wyclef Jean,[19] who was called upon by Préval to become a "roving ambassador" for Haiti,[20] have also pleaded for donations.

Many countries have responded to the appeals and started fund-raising efforts, as well as sending search and rescue teams. The nearby Dominican Republic was the first country to give aid to Haiti, easing tensions that have existed between the two countries since the 19th century.[18]

Haiti is on the Caribbean plate and North America plate border which has been locked for about 200 years so huge stress had been built up and the energy was released in earthquake.

Heavy-lifting helicopters fetch water from the offshore flotilla, 15 January.

[change] References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "USGS Magnitude 7.0 – HAITI REGION". http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqinthenews/2010/us2010rja6/. Retrieved 13 January 2010. 
  2. ↑ "Magnitude 7.0 – HAITI REGION Tectonic Summary". United States Geological Survey. 12 January 2010
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Haiti earthquake death toll 'may be 50,000'". BBC News (BBC). 15 January 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8460417.stm. Retrieved 15 January 2010. 
  4. ↑ "Haiti quake death toll may hit 200,000-minister". Reuters News (Reuters). 15 January 2010. http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N15143632.htm. Retrieved 16 January 2010. 
  5. ↑ Earthquake Center, USGS. "Latest Earthquakes M5.0+ in the World – Past 7 days". Earthquake Hazards Program. United States Geological Survery. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/quakes_big.php. Retrieved 13 January 2010. 
  6. ↑ "Red Cross: 3M Haitians Affected by Quake". CBS News. 13 January 2010. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/13/world/main6090601.shtml?tag=cbsnewsSectionContent.4. Retrieved 13 January 2010. 
  7. ↑ Sutton, Jane; Anthony Boadle, Pascal Fletcher (15 January 2010). "Haiti quake death toll may hit 200,000-minister". Reuters Alertnet (Reuters). http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N15143632.htm. Retrieved 15 January 2010. 
  8. ↑ Fournier, Keith (13 January 2010). "Devastating 7.0 Earthquake Hammers Beleaguered Island Nation of Haiti". Catholic Online. http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=35181. Retrieved 13 January 2010. 
  9. ↑ "Quake 'levels Haiti presidential palace'". Sydney Morning Herald. 13 January 2010. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/hundreds-feared-dead-in-haiti-earthquake-20100113-m5d3.html. Retrieved 13 January 2010. 
  10. ↑ "UN: Haitian capital's main jail collapsed in quake". 13 January 2010. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/13/AR2010011302174.html. Retrieved 13 January 2010. 
  11. ↑ "Dems' Haiti Fundraising Email: 'Put Politics Aside For A Moment". Talking Points Memo. 14 January 2010. http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/live/haiti-quake-wire/#313020. Retrieved 14 January 2010. 
  12. ↑ "Briefing by Martin Nesirky, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, and Jean Victor Nkolo, Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly". United Nations. 13 January 2010. http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs/2010/db100113.doc.htm. Retrieved 13 January 2010. 
  13. ↑ "Clinton visits quake-hit Haitians". BBC News. 16 January 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8463490.stm. Retrieved 16 January 2010. 
  14. ↑ de Montesquiou, Alfred; and Mike Melia (16 January 2010). "Haiti earthquake survivors get more food and water (AP)". Tampa Tribune Online. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CB_HAITI_EARTHQUAKE?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2010-01-16-08-50-44. Retrieved 17 January 2010. 
  15. ↑ "Charities plead for Haitian aid". The San Bernardino Sun. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
  16. ↑ "Tensions Mount In Haiti Amid Plea For Aid". SKY News. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
  17. ↑ "Thousands feared dead after powerful Haiti quake". The Miami Herald. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Dominican Republic aid to Haiti eases historic tensions – CNN.com". Edition.cnn.com. http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/13/haiti.earthquake.dominican.republic/index.html. Retrieved 15 January 2010. 
  19. ↑ "Appeals for aid after quake strikes Haiti". CNN. 13 January 2010. Retrieved 13 January 2010.
  20. ↑ Reuters (3 January 2007). "Wyclef Jean to be Haiti’s roving ambassador". MSNBC. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16459449/. Retrieved 13 January 2010. 
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