Lessons From The Haitian Earthquake

Written By: Jim Swanson  |  Posted: Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

By the time you read this, the Haitian earthquake will be old news. In summary, on Tuesday, January 12th, at 4:53:10 PM their time, an earthquake with magnitude 7.0 struck just ten miles from the capital, Port-au-Prince, shaking the city for a full minute. The result of this devastating minute will affect the country for years to come, and will affect many people for the rest of their lives. Aftershocks of 5.9, 5.5, and 5.1 added to the physical and psychological damage already experienced.

The quake was large, but not huge. In comparison, Wikipedia.com lists the eleven deadliest earthquakes in the last 1000 years and all were stronger than this one in Haiti. However, if the estimate of 100, 000 dead proves true, then it will tie for 11th place. That would mean one in twenty in the capital lost his life.

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