The Inquisitr » earthquake

Magnitude 6.2 Quake Strikes Afghanistan, Pakistan

AHN — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:42:35 +0000

Kabul, Afghanistan (AHN) – An earthquake measuring 6.2 magnitude struck the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan at12:21 local time on Friday. There were no immediate reports of damage and casualty.

The quake was felt in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province and Punjab state. It was also felt in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Mansehra, Peshawar and the Khyber Agency.

The U.S. Geological Survey traced the epicenter of the earthquake 165 miles northeast of the Afghanistan capital of Kabul and 122 miles deep.

New, small earthquake rattles San Jose, Bay Area

Duncan Riley — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:12:33 +0000

Fresh from a minor rattle yesterday, residents in San Jose and the southern San Francisco Bay Area have experienced a second minor earthquake this evening.

The 3.3 quake struck at 7:57:23pm local time with an epicenter in the Joseph D Grant County Park, 5 miles East of Alum Rock.

The earthquake, as with yesterdays, was shallow clocking in at 6.6 km (4.1 miles) below ground, amplifying its relatively low size. Twitter users are far afield as Fremont and San Mateo felt the quake, although many learned about it first on Twitter.

There are no reports of injuries or damage, and none are expected.

Death Toll in Indonesia Quakes Reaches 608

AHN — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:00:40 +0000

Padang, Indonesia (AHN) – With hope of of finding survivors alive greatly diminishing, authorities on Monday began clearing the rubble left in the wake of two devastating earthquakes that rocked Indonesia last week. The death toll on Monday climbed to 608 with fears of the number going much higher.

Authorities have ended the rescue operation that was ongoing in Padang, and have shifted their focus to recovering bodies. Despite the rebuilding process beginning, there is little power, fuel and clean water are in severe shortages and the area’s tourism industry has been critically damaged.

According to the National Agency for Disaster Management, 343 people as of Monday have been reported missing, 285 of them in the Pariaman region of West Sumatra. However, earlier reports put the estimated number at being close to a 1,000 souls.

A 7.6-magnitude quake struck Sumatra on Wednesday, and shortly thereafter on Thursday a 6.6-magnitude quake added to the region’s devastation.

Thousands missing, feared dead following Indonesian earthquake

Duncan Riley — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:18:09 +0000

Thousands are missing, feared dead after an earthquake struck off the coast of the island of Sumatra, Indonesia Wednesday.

As we reported earlier, the 7.6 quake struck at 5:16pm local time and caused a tsunami alert for Indian ocean countries. There is no reports of a tsunami occurring, unlike the Somoan earthquake yesterday, however the size of the earthquake and its proximity to land has caused massive damage across Sumatra.

The town of Padang, West Sumatra, home to 900,000 people was closest to the quake epicenter, and reports from the scene note that there are widespread fires, and that possibly thousands of building have collapsed. Rescue efforts have been hampered by roads into the town being cut off by mudslides, and the airport in the city is closed to air traffic due to damage. There are also reports that at least some of the towns hospitals have been destroyed by the quake.

Indonesia’s health minister told local media that the death toll could end up being “higher than the Yogyakarta quake in 2006,” a quake that left over 5,000 people dead.

The official death toll stands at 75, although is expected to rapidly rise throughout the day.

Earthquake Kills Dozen In Bhutan

AHN — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 01:27:53 +0000

Thimphu, Bhutan (AHN) – A dozen dead people were found Tuesday near the epicenter of a 6.1-magnitude earthquake in eastern Bhutan, local officials said.

Five people, including three women and a two-year-child, were among the dead victims found in the Munggar region. Three other dead victims were found in Trashigang district. Also dead were four Indian workers, whose bodies were found in Samdrup Jhonkhar.

A local newspaper reported 20 people injured in the earthquake that struck on Monday.

Meanwhile, thousands of Bhutanese, including monks, spent their night outside their damaged homes and monasteries.

The quake also caused landslides that blocked roads with boulders and mud. The tremor was felt in neighboring Bangladesh, India and Myanmar, where a 5.6-magnitude aftershock occurred.

Magnitude 7 Quake Strikes Indonesia; At Least 6 Killed, 18 Injured

AHN — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:58:36 +0000

Jakarta, Indonesia (AHN) – A major 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia Wednesday killing at least six people, injuring another 18 and damaging buildings in some areas.

Electricity was also cut to some areas. A tsunami warning was issued and then allowed to expire.

The quake struck at 3:55 a.m. ET and was centered 150 miles south of Jakarta at a depth of 37.7 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Dozens of buildings collapsed in Tasikmalaya on Java, which was 88 miles from the epicenter of the quake. Electricity was cut to that city, according to reports.

Small Earthquake Shakes Some In South Carolina

AHN — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 20:55:18 +0000

Summerville, SC (AHN) – A small earthquake rattled a few communities in South Carolina early morning Sunday.

The quake measured 3.2 on the Richter scale, and was felt by people in about eight communities in the state. A local NBC News affiliate reported that tremors were felt by some for up to five seconds.

There were no reports of any injuries or damages from the quake. It happened about 6:30 a.m.

The affected areas of the earthquake are located above a fault line.

Sunday’s quake comes on the heels of up to nine minor earthquakes that shook parts on Oklahoma on Thursday and Friday. The strongest of those quakes measured magnitude 3.7.

Strong earthquake rattles Tokyo

Duncan Riley — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:22:41 +0000

A strong earthquake with an epicenter 192 miles from Tokyo rattled the Japanese capital Sunday night local time.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), the earthquake has a preliminary reading of 6.9, although the USGS is currently reporting the quake as a 7.1. Local reports say that the quake rattled furniture and walls, although there is no reports of any damage.

The JMA said that the quake, centered in the Izu Islands, was felt across the Ibaraki, Saitama, Chiba prefectures. No Tsunami warning was issued.

A number of unconfirmed minor aftershocks have since been reported in the area. More if we have it.

Baja Quake Shakes California Buildings, But Leaves No Damage

AHN — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:14:58 +0000

San Diego, CA (AHN) – Curtains swayed and buildings creaked here as an earthquake hit several hundred miles to the south Monday morning.

No damages or injuries were reported from the series of earthquakes centered in the Gulf of California off the coast of a remote area of Baja California.

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded a magnitude 5.8 quake at 10:55 a.m. PDT about 360 miles south of the California border. The second, a 6.9 quake, struck four minutes later about 330 miles southeast of Tijuana.

About half an hour later a 5.0 quake hit the same area, followed 10 minutes later by a magnitude 5.9 quake.

The USGS placed the location of the temblor at 29.372°N, 112.814°W, about 4.5 miles below the earth. It was felt as far away as Los Angeles and Phoenix, AZ.

No tsunami warnings were issued.

Small earthquake rattles Los Angeles

Duncan Riley — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:17:29 +0000

A 3.2 earthquake with an epicenter 18 km (11.2 miles) below the Los Angeles International Airport rattled surrounding areas Monday evening (July 13) at 9:14pm local time.

There are no reports of damage although officials at the airport did inspect the runway as a precaution.

Twitter users noted that the earthquake lasted for around 5 seconds and was not dissimilar to a large truck driving past. The quake was felt in the general Los Angeles area as far as Long Beach to the South and Santa Monica to the North.

Over 10,000 homes destroyed in China Earthquake

Duncan Riley — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:46:06 +0000

A 6.0 earthquake struck China’s Yunnan Province Thursday evening destroying over 10,000 homes.

China state media reported that over 300 people were injured, with 30 people suffering severe injuries. There are no reports of deaths at this time.

The quake hit at 7:19 p.m local time (July 9) with an epicenter in Guantun Township, about 200 km from the provincial city of Kunming (see map above._ Along with the 10,000 houses destroyed, a further 30,000 houses have been damaged.

As the area continues to be rattled by after shocks, officials have begun distributing tents, medicines and food to affected residents, with further assistance on its way from other areas within China.

Honduras Earthquake: Death Toll Rising [VIDEO]

Paul Short — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:02:21 +0000

Honduras: An Earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 rocked the ocean floor off the coast of Honduras at 3:24 a.m local time, May 28, collapsing houses and sending panicked people running into the streets in Honduras, Belize and as far away as Guatemala City.

The Honduras earthquake caused major damage to cities and towns and sparked tsunami warnings in coastal areas of Honduras, Belize and Guatemala but the warning has since been lifted.

Honduras Earthquake Death Toll Rising

At least one man was killed when his house collapsed on him in Pineda de la Lima, 120 miles north of Tegucigalpa. Other reports say that 4 children have been killed as well and according to local emergency workers the death toll will be much higher.

Randolfo Funes, a top official at Honduras’ civil protection agency is quoted as saying:

“We have confirmed four dead. There will be many more dead.”

Honduras Earthquake Aftershock Video

A second aftershock quake of 4.8 magnitude hit the area about 3 hours after the first, causing further damage to the already weakened structures in the area and causing widespread panic amongst the population.

National Emergency Minister Melvin Hulse made a radio plea this morning, “I urge you not to panic, but to remain calm. Your government is monitoring the situation and will be keeping you informed.”

[Source & Photo: AP, Reuters. Video: CNN]

Another earthquake rattles Los Angeles

Duncan Riley — Tue, 19 May 2009 23:04:48 +0000

An earthquake has rattled the greater Los Angeles area for the second day in a row.

Today’s earthquake, with a preliminary reading of 4.1, struck at 3:49pm local time (May 19) and was centered in the Hawthorn/ Inglewood area of Los Angeles, just North of the 105 Freeway, and south of Hollywood Park. The epicenter is nearly identical to yesterday’s earthquake.

There are no reports of damage or injuries. Eyewitness reports note that like yesterday’s quake, there was intense shaking near the epicenter. Scientists predicted yesterday that aftershocks could be expected, and this is what likely occurred today.

More when we have it.

5.0 quake rattles greater Los Angeles

Duncan Riley — Mon, 18 May 2009 04:08:27 +0000

A 5.0 quake with an epicenter just south of Hollywood Park, Inglewood rattled the greater Los Angeles area at 8:39pm local time Sunday, May 17.

The quake, felt across the entire Los Angeles area, is one of the larger quakes in recent times, and the closest quake to the center of Los Angeles itself.

At the time of writing there were no reports of injuries or damage. More when we have it.

Update: reports say it was felt as far South as Long Beach.

Update 2: Twitter reports near the epic center describe it the earthquake as “intense” suggesting it may have been a shallow quake.

Small earthquake rattles Ojai, California

Duncan Riley — Fri, 08 May 2009 23:25:12 +0000

A small earthquake rattled homes in Ojai, around 80 miles north west of Los Angeles, California this afternoon (May at 1:27pm local time.

The 4.2 quake was felt is surrounding areas, including the outskirts of Los Angeles as close in as Northridge. There are no reports of damage or injuries.

Local reports suggest that the quake lasted as long as 15 seconds.

Mexico City Rocked by 5.6 Magnitude Earthquake

Paul Short — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:19:09 +0000

A 5.6 magnitude earthquake rocked Mexico City on Monday afternoon.

The Mexico City earthquake sent terrified residents into the streets and overloaded telephone lines but as of now no significant damage has been reported.

Given the current swine flu threat that has killed an estimated 149 people, recent drug wars heating up and now an earthquake, the Mexican Peso has weakened which had lost nearly 5% from Friday’s close to MXN13.975 per U.S. dollar.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicenter of the Mexico earthquake was in the Pacific coast state of Guerrero, home to the resort of Acapulco, which lies roughly 360 kilometers from Mexico City. The depth of the quake made serious damage less likely, said Jim Dewey, a research geophysicist with USGS.

“Certainly strong shaking could be perceived, but it wouldn’t likely cause extensive damage,” Dewey said. “It was 25 miles deep, so that puts some distance between it and the surface of the ground.”

Earthquake rattles Yorba Linda, surrounding areas

Duncan Riley — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:28:14 +0000

An earthquake centered just north of Yorba Linda on the outskirts Los Angeles shook residents at 4:56pm local time this afternoon (April 23.)

The 3.8 quake resulted in light shaking in the Riverside-San Bernardino region, and was felt as far away as Aliso Vejio and Altadena. The same area had a 5.4 earthquake in July last year.

There were no reports of damage, with locals describing a single jolt, followed by several seconds of shaking. Further details on the quake are available from the USGS site here.

Earthquake shakes Central Italy (update: 50+ dead)

Duncan Riley — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 02:34:33 +0000

A 6.3 earthquake with an epicenter 85kms (53 miles) from Rome shook central Italy early Monday morning local time.

The earthquake was strong enough that it woke residents in the capital, and set off car alarms. The US Geological Survey said the earthquake was shallow, meaning the likelihood of damage was greater.

There were no initial reports of damage, although unconfirmed reports coming through now indicate that there may be widespread damage near the epicenter, and related injuries.

Update: buildings have collapsed in All’Aquila. People are believed to be trapped in the rubble.

Update 2: death toll is now believed to be 50.

More when we have it. A Google Map showing the epicenter below:

View Larger Map

Earthquake rattles San Jose, California

Duncan Riley — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 22:25:05 +0000

A moderate earthquake shook residents of San Jose and surrounding areas Monday morning local time.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 4.3. and the epicenter was located about 11 miles north of Morgan Hill, or 16 miles south east of San Jose. There were no reports of injuries or damage.

San Jose is located at the southern end of Silicon Valley, and is not far from headquarters of the internet’s biggest companies, including Google and Yahoo.

Earthquake rattles Melbourne, Australia

Duncan Riley — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 05:44:52 +0000

A second earthquake in around two weeks has rattled residents in one of the last places you’d expect to have an earthquake: Melbourne, Australia.

The quake struck at 4:30pm local time Wednesday (10:30pm US PDT) and lasted between 4-10 seconds. There is no confirmation of the scale of the quake, although Twitter users reported that it felt less severe that the last quake March 6 that recorded a 4.7 on the richter scale.

Having sat through it (oddly I didn’t feel the last one) the biggest part is the pure surprise. I’ve never felt an earthquake before, and our house in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne rattled for a good 4-5 seconds, sort of a mellow rattle. My first thought was that perhaps there had been an accident outside, but there wasn’t.

Update: quake was 4.6. Small on a global scale, but for locals, big enough to make the Melbourne Earthquake the Number One hash tag on Twitter.