Global General
Major magnitude 7 quake hits Haiti - USGS
(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-01-13 06:32
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WASHINGTON: A major magnitude 7.0 quake hit Haiti on Tuesday and prompted a tsunami watch for parts the Caribbean, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said on Tuesday.
The epicenter of the quake, which was initially reported off the coast, was located inland, only 10 miles (16 km) from the capital Port-au-Prince and was very shallow at a depth of only 6.2 miles (10 km).
A major earthquake, of magnitude 7 or higher, is capable of causing widespread and heavy damage. There was no immediate report of damage or casualties.
"A destructive widespread tsunami threat does not exist based on historical earthquake and tsunami data," the center said. "However, there is the possibility of a local tsunami that could affect coasts located usually no more than a 100 km from the earthquake epicenter."
