Puerto Rico Earthquake 2010 touches 5.7 Richter Scale

Puerto Rico (GaeaTimes.com) At around 1 AM today, Puerto Rico felt a moderate tremor that touched 5.7 magnitude in Richter Scale. It is reported that the eye of the earthquake was located near the city of Moca, 8 miles northeast of Mayaguez and approximately 108 miles west of San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck at 1:16 a.m. local time or 0516 GMT. The quake was recorded at a depth of 67 miles or 113 km at about four miles or six km from the small community of Espino on the western side of the U.S. Caribbean island. According to them the quake epicenter was 63 miles or 101 km from the capital San Juan.

People in Puerto Rico came out of their homes to be safe and according to the latest reports no one is seriously harmed but some houses in western and northern towns have been damages. Reportedly the quake caused a rockslide on a highway in Ultuado. A Tsunami warning has been issued for further safety.

Relief agencies in Puerto Rico made a tour of different provinces and cities to assess the damages and casualties. It is reported that some structures have been damaged in the cities of Moca, Lares, Utado, Vega Baja and Florida. The tremor cracked the concrete foundations of few buildings. In Ultuado, the quake allegedly shifted a concrete house some four inches from its foundations. Engineers are trying to determine if the damaged homes are safe. The earthquake was also felt in many different places including Guayama, Santa Isabel, Ceiba, Fajardo and Rio Grande.