7.3 Earthquake Rocks Honduras. Eleven more Quakes since Big One

by utilaeastwind | May 28, 2009 at 11:10 am

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Utila 01:20 June 9th 2009 The earthquakes are continuing almost daily. The latest was late last night when a strong 5.7 Mag earthquake shook homes and created worry. The epicenter of the quake was just 12 miles south of East Harbour, Utila.

Since the May 28th 7.3 mag earthquake there have been eleven more earthquakes of 4 magnitude or more to date. In between these events, aftershocks can be felt lightly grumbling quite often.

Rob Rogers, Assistant Professor of Geology at California State University stated we can expect aftershocks for next several weeks along the Swan Island transform and the faults to the south. The Swan Island fault is the very steep southern boundary of the 5000+ meter deep Cayman Trough. Landslides can happen along this undersea escarpment. Aftershocks can trigger landslides. Landslides can trigger tsunamis. Coastal communities should keep watch on Caribbean Sea for next several weeks.

Updates will be posted

ORIGINAL ARTICLE Utila 2:20 MAY 28 2009 In the darkness of night at 2:20 am the effects of a 7.3 Magnitude earthquake were felt across Central America. The epicenter of the Major Earthquake was just 63km north of the largest of the Bay Islands, Roatan at a depth of 10km.

Here on the island Utila, people awoke to their homes shaking violently with shelves emptying, tv’s crashing down and an intense rumble droning on and on. Soon after, strong aftershocks were felt and people from the low lying areas began evacuated their homes and fled for high ground, fearing an approaching tsunami.

The Churches and football field were filled with frightened families standing in disbelief and wondering if it is yet safe to return home. Once the aftershock subsided the evacuees received the Green Light and returned to thier homes. On Utila, one home was destroyed in Campo Nado and there are reports of structural damage to wood and concrete homes and intensive damage to interiors of homes. There is now at least five confirmed deaths reported in Honduras and there is heavy damage to the Democracy Bridge in El Progresso. There are also, reports of major structural damage to buildings in San Pedro Sula. In Belize, at least three homes have been destroyed and a water tower collapsed in Indepencia.
There are now reports coming in from Roatan of major structural damage to many structures and three unconfirmed reports of deaths. On Utila there are no serious induries reported.

UPDATE.... Two more earthquakes have occurred in Honduras as of this morning. One inland south of the port town La Ceiba another west of Utila island in the Caribbean Sea. The quakes were a magnitude of 4.8 and 4.6 respectively.
The major earthquake from the day before has now been upgraded to a 7.3 magnitude earthquake. No new damage has been reported on Utila. There have now been a total of seven earthquakes within the last week. The first was the strongest with the other six ranging in strength from 4.6 to 5.0 magnetude. The locations of the majority of the new quakes were about 40 miles west of Utila in the sea the balance were in the interior south of La Ceiba. Aftershocks are still occuring hourly. UPDATES WILL BE POSTED AS AVAILABLE

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Paschen

flagged this story as Eyewitness Report

at 01:51 on May 28th, 2009

This is an eyewitness report from the NowPublic member utilaeastwind who was on the scene.

Paschen

flagged this story as Breaking

at 01:51 on May 28th, 2009

utilaeastwind, thanks for getting this story out so quickly. It will now show up on the home page for four hours. If new developments justify it, I'll renew this flag for another cycle.

jordan

flagged this story as Eyewitness Report

at 06:17 on May 28th, 2009

This is an eyewitness report from the NowPublic member utilaeastwind who was on the scene.

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Uwe Paschen

at 01:38 on May 28th, 2009

Thank you for the post here utilaeastwind.

Keep us updated on this Earthquake if you can.

We had one here in Chiba as well around lunch time. However not near that strong, ours may have been around 4 magnitude.

utilaeastwind

at 06:23 on May 28th, 2009

Thank you!

Paschen, I cannot get any help in embedding the image/thumbnail icon to stick on the story. As is, when people view, they cannot see footage.

Can you help?

Thanks!!

Malcolm Dale (not verified)

at 01:48 on May 28th, 2009

I'm in Belize and it woke us up at 2.25 a.m. local time. Felt like about a 5-6 to me. Then there was a small aftershock about 37 minutes later. The fire alarm sounded at 3.25 but I don't know the reason yet.

Sri Lanka Army news

at 02:19 on May 28th, 2009

Here are Some Details..

Powerful earthquake strikes Honduras
May 28, 2009 - 7:39PM
A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake has struck just off the northern coast of Honduras, sparking a tsunami alert for three Central American countries, the US Geological Survey says.
The earthquake struck 130km north of the coastal town of La Ceiba early on Thursday, the USGS said.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a local tsunami watch for Honduras, Belize and Guatemala following the quake.
"There is a possibility of a local tsunami that could affect coasts located usually no more than a hundred kilometres from the earthquake epicentre," the centre said.
"Regions near the epicentre should be aware of this possibility. Areas further from the epicentre could experience small sea level changes and strong or unusual coastal currents."
However it noted that a "destructive widespread tsunami threat does not exist based on historical earthquake and tsunami data."
The USGS measured the quake's depth at 10km, and said it occurred 63km northeast of Roatan on the Isles de la Bahia in the Caribbean Sea.
There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Sri Lanka Army news

at 02:53 on May 28th, 2009

Updates -7.1 earthquake.

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – A strong earthquake struck early Thursday off the coast of Honduras, collapsing shacks in Honduras and Belize and sending people running into the streets in their pajamas as far away as Guatemala City. No injuries or deaths were immediately reported.
The magnitude-7.1 quake struck at 3:24 a.m. (0824 GMT) at the relatively shallow depth of 6 miles (10 kilometers), according to the U.S. Geological Survey in Golden, Colorado. The epicenter was 80 miles (130 kilometers) northeast of La Ceiba, Honduras, and 200 miles (320 kilometers) from the capital, Tegucigalpa.
Ana Maria Rivera, spokeswoman for Honduras' Permanent Emergency Commission, said it was felt strongly across Honduras' Caribbean coast.
"People ran from their homes in alarm," she said. "The quake was felt in almost the entire country."
Juan Sevilla, a spokesman for Honduras' firefighters, said wooden homes collapsed in Puerto Cortes, 120 miles (200 kilometers) north of Tegucigalpa, as did a stadium wall in Comayagua, 60 miles (100 kilometers) north of the capital.
Osman Hernandez, a spokesman for the mayor of El Progreso, told Radio Satelite that a major bridge across the Ulua River suffered major damage.
In Belize, people rushed from their homes as glasses and framed pictures crashed off of shelves. At least five wooden houses on stilts collapsed in three towns and a water tower toppled in the town of Independence, local officials said. Electricity was out all the way to the Mexican border.
"I urge you not to panic, but to remain calm," National Emergency Minister Melvin Hulse said on the radio. "Your government is monitoring the situation and will be keeping you informed."
A tsunami watch was discontinued for Honduras, Belize and Guatemala.
Raul Gonzalez, a receptionist at the Gran Hotel Sula in the northern Honduran city of San Pedro Sula, said guests ran into the streets in their pajamas.
"I ran out of the building and kept going for about a block before I looked back and everything had calmed," he said. "It was really strong. I have never felt anything like that."
He said the hotel did not suffer damage.
People ran into the streets as far away as Guatemala City, but firefighter Byron Juarez said a survey of firefighting offices throughout Guatemala revealed no reports of major damage.

Rob Walker

at 04:47 on May 28th, 2009

Smeggs4 (not verified)

at 05:02 on May 28th, 2009

Thank you so much for the updates and keep them coming. My boyfriend is on Utila for vacation and contacting him is near impossible and i am worried sick. Please keep posting any new developments or images! thank you so very much!

katie kent (not verified)

at 05:25 on May 28th, 2009

I spoke to my daughter, just over an hour ago, who is on Utila and works at Altons Dive Centre. She said it was dramatic but, certainly around her, no great damage.

Valerie Dorr (not verified)

at 06:45 on May 28th, 2009

Katie, good to hear. My niece works at Altons as well and we were concerned - only way to talk to her is facebook or skype! Her mom is actually supposed to fly there on Saturday/Sunday.

tatum (not verified)

at 15:38 on May 28th, 2009

in contact with my family in utila everyone is ok

Amy Judd

at 07:10 on May 28th, 2009

Thank you for posting this - please keep us up to date if your hear anything else.

Jarrett Martineau

at 07:14 on May 28th, 2009

Thanks for this. Great work.

Rosy (not verified)

at 07:34 on May 28th, 2009

My mom's husband is in Utila and we are worried sick! Does anyone down there know a Tony & Rosa who run an Inn? That's who he is staying with. Please if anyone has any information reply to my post!

Rosy (not verified)

at 09:02 on May 28th, 2009

The name of the place is Rubi's Inn.

ula kay morgan (not verified)

at 10:14 on May 28th, 2009

Rubi's Inn "has to be" fine. Tony and Rosa are both well known and their Inn is only approx 1/3rd of a mile from Alton's. Someone here in stated they are fine at Alton's so looks as though you can have some peace of mind. I also heard from a Utilian that the Point fared well during the earthquake. There again, Tony's and Rosa's Inn is on the Point.

Rosy (not verified)

at 10:34 on May 28th, 2009

Thank you for that. My mother just heard from her husband minutes ago, he was able to get out a short call on a land line.

Thanks again!

Sabrinag2008 (not verified)

at 09:10 on May 28th, 2009

thanks for posting this so quickly!

im glad to hear everyone on Utila is fine... cant get to them all the way from texas over night!

good work

and thanks again

utilaeastwind

at 10:49 on May 28th, 2009

THERE ARE NO REPORTS OF ANY SERIOUS INDURIES ON THE ISLAND OF UTILA.... ANY INDURIES WILL BE REPORTED ASAP... Dont worry your kids, friends and family are okay.

Jarrett Martineau

at 10:59 on May 28th, 2009

Note: This story's time-stamp has been updated to allow it to appear on the homepage as more details emerge.

Thanks, utilaeastwind, for your ongoing coverage.

Karen Hobson (not verified)

at 11:29 on May 28th, 2009

Hello: I have an Uncle living in Honduras Coxen Hole on the beach he has an Inn he manages there. Does anyone has any information on that area? Was it hit hard?. Thank You, Karen

Ravinwood_777

at 12:12 on May 28th, 2009

I don't doubt that earthquakes are on the rise now, with the big one poised to strike southern California very very soon.

There will be a multitude of large and small earthquakes in various places throughout the entire planet, "IN THE LAST DAYS" that is according to what Jesus said, Well it looks like Jesus is coming back very soon whether the rich lukewarm church is ready or not for his untimely arrival.

The began a sorrows, Note: I found the Central America Earthquake story interesting, but its no big deal in the scheme of things.

Fact, the last earthquake that hit Communist China killed over 10,000 schoolchildren...imagine the great grief they felt for their little ones on that particular day in history.

JEAN K (not verified)

at 13:46 on May 28th, 2009

IS THERE ANY CONTACT NUMBER FOR FAMILY MEMBERS LOOKING FOR FAMILY IN HONDURAS THAT MIGHT BE INJURED IN THE EARTHQUAKE. I HAVE A COWORKER AND HER FATHER LIVES THERE AND SHE IS FRANTICALLY LOOKING FOR A NUMBER THAT SHE CAN CALL TO GET INFORMATION REGARDING THOSE THAT WERE INJURED.

THANKS, JEAN

utilaeastwind

at 14:23 on May 28th, 2009

Hi Jean,

There are no services like this available in Hoduras. I would point out that it is very unlikely that your friends and family will have been injured in any way. In my office we have the Wardens for the Canadian, British and Dutch Embassies. We are kept up to date with any problems on Utila.

Dont worry. Everything will be cool.

Tatum (not verified)

at 15:43 on May 28th, 2009

Just a Thank-you for keeping us inform it is appreciated

God Bless

Take Care

utilaeastwind

at 14:25 on May 28th, 2009

These are the names of the confirmed fatalities.

anahy (not verified)

at 14:29 on May 28th, 2009

my sisters and i are in el progreso honduras as we speak visiting family and the earthquake didnt affect us really our stuff juss mostly fell on the floor but buildings and roads are completely damaged that one of our brdiges fell from the impact and thats the route were supposed to take to go to the airport on monday and let me tell u the feeling was horrible i couldnt stop shaking and my heart was beating fast that i havent slept since ... right now were hearing that there might be another one coming soon so were debating wether to leave asap or on monday like were supposed to .... has anyone heard if there really is going to be another one, cause im really hoping there isnt ... worst feeling ever !

utilaeastwind

at 14:31 on May 28th, 2009

Ray Maldonado Funes
Leily Yazmín
Santos Girón
José Vicente Maradiaga
Concepción Cerrano
***There we also two unnamed children who perished in the earthquake from Colon and Gracias

john c (not verified)

at 15:36 on May 28th, 2009

ANY INFO ABOUT ROATAN. HOW BAD WAS IT THERE?

terry G (not verified)

at 20:36 on May 28th, 2009

any more details about Gracias. I have a daughter teaching there.

RBeach (not verified)

at 15:46 on May 28th, 2009

Thanks for the updates, my son is a missionary on Utila, he called and said on the island things were pretty ok. If you see two young guys in white shirts say hi for me and buy them a soda.