Puerto Rico Earthquake 2010

Puerto Rico Earthquake 2010: At 1.17 am on Sunday 16 May, a strong earthquake in Puerto Rico woke the sleeping citizens at that time and forced them out of their homes to seek protection. Fear and anxiety comprised hundreds of residents in this city that is characterized by the rhythmic weekends. In fact many of those returning from parties and social gatherings were among the first to be placed in public squares and open places, fearing that the quake would have fatal consequences.

The Puerto Rico earthquake measuring 5.7 degrees on the Mercalli scale, was centered between the cities of Moca and Anasco, both west of Puerto Rico, was felt throughout the island, as well as on the islands of Vieques, Culebra, Santa Cruz, and rest of the Virgin Islands. In western cities, the strength of active earthquake alarms cars, banks, shopping malls and buildings and this resulted in Mayaguez, to panic among many who understood that it was a Tsunami warning witch was later issued by the Puerto Rico Seismic Network.

Coastal populations of Patillas, Arroyo, Guayama, Salinas, Ponce and Santa Isabel on the south coast and Maunabo, Yabucoa, Humacao, Naguabo, Ceiba, Rio Grande and Fajardo, on the east coast, felt the earthquake with high intensity. But it felt strong in Aguas Buenas, Cidra and Caguas, in the middle of the island and the towns of the north coast of Arecibo, Hatillo and Toa Baja; scenes of panic were reported in the capital, San Juan and neighboring municipality Carolina.

The seismic network and NOA Mexico were the first agencies to warn of the occurrence of tremor, minutes after it occurred. Puerto Rican authorities said the quake had a magnitude of 5.7 on the Mercalli scale. A 140 km deep. The epicenter was located 3.9 kilometers southwest of the town of Isabela, on the west coast, between the towns of Moca and Anasco, west of Puerto Rico. However, originated on land, in the depths of Moca.