Yet another earthquake has hitPuerto Ricoin what’s been a tumultuous few weeks in terms of seismic activity.
Early Tuesday morning, at about 4:24 a.m. local time, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake rocked the U.S. territory, according to theU.S. Geological Survey, just one day after aseries of tremorscollapsed homes, and caused landslides and power outages.
A 6.0-magnitude aftershock was recorded three hours later, according to theAssociated Press, making the two quakes the largest for the southern region since the activity began on Dec. 28.
Director of Puerto Rico’s Seismic Network Víctor Huérfano told the AP that this is expected to be “the largest quake for now” and that aftershocks will “continue for some time.”
The expert also said reports of damage are not immediately available since communications are cut-off throughout the affected areas.
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According toCNN, the earthquakes leading up to Tuesday morning’s seemed to have been foreshocks, and the USGS warned, “When there are more earthquakes, the chance of a large earthquake is greater which means that the chance of damage is greater.”
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A 5.8 magnitude earthquake jolted Puerto Rico at 6:32 a.m. local time, according toCBS News. The quake caused small landslides and power outages around the island.Photographs posted to social mediashowed damaged structures, and one picture showed two cars that had been completely crushed under a building.
A second quake, measuring at magnitude 5.1, hit the island at 10:51 a.m. There have been no immediate reports of casualties.
The quakes hit just as the island was preparing forThree Kings Day, a religious holiday comparable to Christmas Day that is known for social gatherings and gift-giving.
“This is hell,” resident Alberto Rodríguez toldNBC News. “We haven’t slept … you can’t remain calm here. Guánica is no longer a safe place.”
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“Playa Ventana has collapsed,” said Guayanilla spokesman Glidden Lopez, according to theMiami Herald. “Today our icon is nothing but a memory.”
source: people.com
