Haiti Experiences 6.1 Aftershock Moments Ago
Was it an Earthquake or Aftershock?
The USGS defines an aftershock as any earthquake that occurs after an initial earthquake that is of lesser magnitude on the Richter scale than the first earthquake, and greater than any that occurred prior to the main shock, which are considered foreshocks.
If a later earthquake is of greater magnitude than the main shock, the latter will be classified as a foreshock. The tremor of the greatest magnitude in a cluster of earthquakes is considered the main shock. All are considered earthquakes in the general sense.
The earthquake to hit the Haiti region on January 12, 2010 registered at 7.0, which is the strongest in this cluster, making it the main shock. Subsequent quakes, including this morning's 6.1, are considered aftershocks since none exceeded the magnitude of the first in this cluster.
Aftershocks normally decrease in magnitude following the initial earthquake, decreasing in intensity the longer the time span from the original quake. Smaller tremors are the norm following an earthquake, but it's not unheard of for large aftershocks to occur even a month or more past the main earthquake.
Reuters reports that many residents of Haiti's capital city of Port-au-Prince have elected to sleep in the streets rather than remain in buildings rendered unsafe from earlier quakes and aftershocks. Further damage from this morning's tremors hasn't been reported as of this writing and it isn't known whether the aftershock has impeded relief efforts in the area. Massive outpourings of relief from around the world are still arriving in Haiti and will likely continue for some time as the small Caribbean country tries to rebuild its already weak infrastructure.
Sources:
http://www.usgs.gov/
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60B5IZ20100
Published by Marie Anne St. Jean - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
A Top 1000 Content Producer for the last three years, Marie Anne is a retired U.S. Marine MSgt whose weapons of choice are now crochet hook and pen. When not writing for Yahoo! sites such as YCN! Voice... View profile
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22 Comments
Post a CommentThe people there must be terrified. I understand why so many want to leave the country. Just as the earth settles to a different shape around the plates (which I understand is what produces the aftershocks, so would structures that have crumbled, right?
Thanks for this report. Sad story. Wishing the best for everyone!!
Very well written article.
This whole situation breaks my heart.
I can not imagine how frightening even the smallest of those aftershocks are to those poor people. Thanks for explaining all of this terminology.
I just can't imagine living for over a week with constant aftershocks!
Absoltuely terrifying! Great article!
Thanks for this information. I learned some things that I didn't know about earthquakes :) Hope and pray these aftershocks stop soon for the Haitians.
Wow! That's a pretty strong aftershock, and can be pretty shocking to those already affected by the main earthquake.
Wow, 6.1 is pretty significant too...those poor folks, they've gone through enough already. Thanks for the update, I hadn't heard this.