Haiti is one of the most impoverished countries in the world, and tragedy has befallen just an hour ago, with a severe earthquake just being recorded. The quake measured 7.3 on the Richter scale according to the US Geological Survey. The quake struck 14 kilometres from the city of Carrefour and 27 kilometres from Petionville.

A tsunami alert has been issued for most islands in the Caribbean, and the quake lasted more than a minute. Apparently a hospital has collapsed and many are expected to have been killed. While the exact details are still not available, we shall try to gather more information on this as we receive information. If you are in the area, do let us know what the situation is like. People have fled to the streets and many buildings have collapsed in the nation.

There is no information about the condition of people in Haiti. Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere, and the local authorities may not be well equipped for a calamity of this magnitude. Dominican Republic, Cuba, Bahamas and Hispaniola could also face the wrath of a Tsunami, if it occurs.

Via: Sky News

Image Courtesy: Geology.com

According to a recent study published for this month’s reputed science journal, Geology, the Aegean Sea that was constituted of the Thera volcano was the epicenter for a host of immense killer waves also known as Tsunamis. The eruption of this giant volcano, that took place some 3,000 years ago produced massive tidal waves impacting the region of Israel and many other coastal areas in the middle east. At the time of these tsunamis, the Mediterranean area was the home to some of the most flourishing cultures in human history, namely, Crete, Cyprus, Egypt, Phoenicia and Turkey.

One of the brightest and most advanced civilizations of all, the Minoan race is believed to be a victim of this volcano’s eruption and the subsequent tsunamis that would have obliterated the entire region. The Thera volcano according to the researchers is thought to have erupted during 1630 and 1550 B.C.

The research team that conducted the study was comprised of geologists and scientists from Israel, the United States of America, Canada and Hawaii. The excavations that took place for this project were carried out near the coastal town of Caesarea, Israel, that is known to have its origins from the days of the Roman and the Byzantine empires.

According to the study, “These findings constitute the most comprehensive evidence to date that the tsunami event precipitated by the eruption of Santorini reached the maximum extent of the Eastern Mediterranean.”

The research process involved drilling tubes into the seabed, and collecting sediment cores that were later studied and analyzed for the compilation of the study. The core sample were later observed for telltale signs that are left after a tsunami strike, such as, pumice, peculiar patterns of microfossils etc.

Via New York Times.

Earthquakes in Indonesia and South Pacific islands of Samoa and tsunamis followed by quakes have wrecked havoc and killed hundreds of people. Thousands are still missing and has left both places totally destroyed. Death tolls are expected to rise in next few days.

Entire communities living on Pacific islands of Samoa and Tonga have been left in ruins after waters washed away houses, roads etc. Initial earthquake which shook the island brought in giant waves within 20 -30 mins washing away everything. Indonesian earthquake in Padang on the other side was of 7.6 magnitude and later was followed by second tremor of 6.8 magnitude. Two hospitals, mosque, hotels and a mall have collapsed apart from several houses. Scores of people have been injured. International aid is being sent to the areas affected.

Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and tsunamis. It has been devastated by earthquake in 2006 and tsunami in 2004 which killed nearly 130,000 people. Even Samoan islands are prone to natural disasters too. All these islands are major tourist hot spots. Many foreign tourists are feared dead. Among them is a small British boy.

Via Telegraph.co.uk