New 6.1-Quake Hits Haiti, People Flee Into Streets

[tekisui]

Source: AP/Yahoo!

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – A powerful aftershock struck Haiti on Wednesday, shaking buildings and sending screaming people running into the streets only eight days after the country's capital was devastated by a major earthquake.

The magnitude-6.1 temblor was the largest aftershock yet to the apocalyptic Jan. 12 quake that shattered Haiti's capital. It was not immediately clear if it caused additional damage or injuries.

The new quake hit at 6:03 a.m. (1103 GMT) about 35 miles (56 kilometers) northwest of the capital of Port-au-Prince and 13.7 miles (22 kilometers) below the surface.

Wails of terror rose from frightened survivors as the earth shuddered at 6:03 a.m. The U.S. Geologic Survey said the quake was centered about 35 miles (56 kilometers) northwest of Port-au-Prince and was 13.7 miles (22 kilometers) below the surface.

more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/cb_haiti_earthquake;_ylt=AoEatDl7u7IVBUE8zho5LS6s0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNlY2pzbXZqBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMTIwL2NiX2hhaXRpX2VhcnRocXVha2UEY2NvZGUDcmFuZG9tBGNwb3MDMQRwb3MDMgRwdANob21lX2Nva2UEc2VjA3luX3RvcF9zdG9yeQRzbGsDbmV3NjEtcXVha2Vo

[tavalon]

1. Thank goodness I don't believe in the sky daddy who pays attention to all that happens on Earth,

because I would have to make it my life's goal to punch him in the face.

[Broke In Jersey]

2. I thought that news was part of a dream I was having this morning.

I guess at least I thought it was since I didnt think it could be true. But I remember them saying that it was a NEW EARTHQUAQE and NOT an aftershock. I was thinking...how do they know the difference??? Maybe cause it was so strong???

[DCBob]

3. Yes, an aftershock has to be smaller than the original quake.

There is alot quake activity in the Caribbean and central and SA lately. Very weird.

[Broke In Jersey]

4. Is that the only rule/guideline?

Plus I wonder what the timeline is? If another 6.1 quake happens in 6 months - is it still an aftershock.

Now that I think of it...I wouldn't really give a sh*t if I was living there - just the engineer geek in me coming out. Its not everyday you hear of a 6.1 mag quake as an 'aftershock'.

[DCBob]

5. Yes, its sort of a rule but requries some judgement depending on the circumstances.

In fact, if the "aftershock" is larger than the earlier quake then the earlier quake is reclassified as a pre-quake. The time between quakes/shocks is a factor but you can have aftershocks 6 months or even years later.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aftershock

[Solly Mack]

6. :(