Haiti Earthquake Provoked by Unknown Fault?

by mygoditsfullofstars in Issues, August 13, 2010

There are many unanswered questions about the Haiti earthquake. So many, that researchers are assuming a previously unknown fault, may be to blame.

Haiti suffered a large devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010. The 7.0 magnitude quake and its aftershocks destroyed lives, homes and infrastructure of an already struggling country. Scientists have been studying this quake with hopes of uncovering some information about future earthquake risks in Haiti.

It was originally believed that the Enriquillo fault was the cause of this earthquake. The Enriquillo fault runs through Port Au Prince, which is Haiti’s largest city and capital. After months of research, it is now clear that the characteristics of this earthquake to do not match with the Enriquillo fault and the resulting damage. In fact, it is so inconsistent that researchers are assuming that there is an entirely different fault, that they didn’t previously think existed.

At this point, due to this current conclusion, the risk assessment is at a bit of a standstill.

Haiti, after the destruction: