Puerto Rico Earthquake Strikes North Coast
A Puerto Rico Earthquake stuck the north coast near the capital city of San Juan. The US Geological Survey reports the quake had a magnitude of approximately 6.5. The epicenter was located in the Atlantic Ocean around 35 miles from the coast.
Although the quake was quite strong, no serious injuries or damage were reported. The National Weather Service Warning Center said a small tsunami is possible. However, it is not expected to be a serious threat.
Witnesses in several coastal villages reported feeling the quake, but did not experience any notable damage. Residents of San Juan felt a brief but strong tremor that caused items to fall from their walls and shelves. Thankfully, the damage to their homes and possessions was minimal.
The USGS reports the earthquake occurred along the North American and Caribbean plates at the Puerto Rico Trench. Although the region is capable of producing strong and destructive quakes, they are rare.
In 1946, a magnitude 8.0 earthquake struck between Puerto Rico and Hispaniola. The quake, and the resulting tsunami, were responsible for significant damage in both regions. Weather.com reports strong Puerto Rico earthquakes were also recorded in December 2010 and March 2011. However, the quakes did not cause any significant injuries or destruction.
The Puerto Rico earthquake struck on the fourth anniversary of one of the most destructive quakes ever recorded. On January 12, 2010, a Magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, injuring hundreds of thousands and killing more than 100,000 residents. The resulting damage totaled more than $10 billion.
Four years later, the Caribbean Island is beginning to recover. However, residents are still dealing with the aftermath. The recovery has been steady but slow. In addition to rebuilding, residents have dealt with a devastating cholera epidemic and the loss of profits from tourism.
Although the Puerto Rico earthquake was strong, the coastal cities saw minimal damage. Fortunately, the residents were spared from the devastation that still plagues Haiti.
[Image via Wikimedia]
