Earthquake Hits Mariana Islands

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HAGATNA, GUAM (GaeaTimes.com)- On Friday the United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed that a major earthquake of 7.2 Richter has hit the southwest of the United States territory of Guam. The website reported that the earthquake occurred in the Mariana Islands region of the Pacific Ocean at 7:19 a.m. local time (2119 GMT). Although in general, earthquakes of such a magnitude can cause havoc destruction near the coastal areas, no injuries or destruction caused by the quake has been reported to the concerned authorities.

The Northern Mariana emergency management office said that most of the people slept through the tsunami and the no reports of damage in the Marianas Island nation have been reported. Guam stretches between Hawaii and the Philippines. Reports claimed that no tremors of the earthquake were felt in Saipan, the largest island in the chain of Northern Mariana Islands. A forecaster at the National Weather Service’s office in Guam, Brandon Aydlett, said to media sources that the U.S. territory did not feel any of the tremors as well. However, the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center mentioned that earthquake of this size sometimes generate local tsunamis that can have destructive effects along coasts within 100 kilometers of the epicenter of the earthquake. The center added “Authorities in the region of the epicenter should be aware of this possibility and take appropriate action”.

Although the initial reports by USGS claimed that the Mariana Islands earthquake had taken place at a depth of 12.4 miles and was of 7.1 magnitudes, it later came up with reports that the epicenter of the quake was located at a depth of 2.9 miles and was of a magnitude of 7.2. The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued no tsunami alert to the adjoining areas.