6.1 earthquake in Costa Rica

I saw the other thread on this topic and worried about you.

Glad to hear you're okay. Be careful!

Found this and liked the graph. There's a big red circle on your head. Thought I'd post it here and then have a look around.

http://www.iris.edu/seismon/

I've been in dozens of earthquakes, and only about 5 have frightened me. This was one of them because plaster was raining down from the ceiling and the shocks just kept coming (still coming, my monitor quivers every now and then).

My camera battery died but here are some pictures of what it did to my apartment.




It even managed to turn off my computer. I'm just glad no glass went, if the aquarium had busted I'd be a very unhappy camper right now (since it would have flooded my office and all my electronics).

glad you are alright...




reuters reports 6.2

(Reporting by John McPhaul)


http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE5076R420090108

Sigh, still shaking over here every now and then. This is the longest series of aftershocks I've experienced and is making it hard to concentrate on work.

This is a link to their Did You Feel It data with 187 responses so far

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/dyfi/events/us/2009bpba/us/index.html

http://www.costaricapages.com/blog/travel/san-jose-earthquak/1787

6.1 Earthquake Hits San Jose Costa Rica

It’s Been a Shaky Start to New Year in Costa Rica.

An earthquake just shook San Jose, Costa Rica, today, Jan. 08, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. with a preliminary magnitude estimated at 6.1 on the Richter Scale. The epicenter is estimated to be 22 miles northwest of the country’s capital city and shockwaves were felt 30 minutes after the original tremor. It is unclear how far the effects were felt. Total damage has yet to be analyzed, but witnesses in a local grocery store noted items falling off of shelves and breaking in the aisles.


This is the second significant earthquake to his Costa Rica in just two days. Yesterday’s quake rocked Alajuela just five kilometers east of the Poas volcano and measured 4.0 on the Richter Scale. Though it was hardly felt in the neighboring province of San Jose, the quake lasted for several minutes, and started around 10 a.m. This one had a depth of 6 kilometers, and is said to not be related to the volcano.

Today’s earthquake nearly matched the strongest earthquake that occurred in all of 2008, which registered 6.2 on the Richter scale on November 19. There were a total of 4,726 earthquakes last year, though only 60 were strong enough to be felt by residents.

Costa Rica is set over a series of fault lines, which helped to create the central mountain range that exist today. Volcanic activity has been present throughout the country’s history, though residents expect the next “Big one” to hit any day in the Guanacaste region. This theory developed due to large earthquakes hitting the region on average every 50 years. The next to come was theoretically slated for the turn of the century, though the country hasn’t felt anything yet strong enough to qualify. The last ‘big ones’ to hit the region occurred in 1853, 1900, and 1950. Seismologists attest that the fears are not unfounded, though it is likely that the date could vary by up to 10 years or more.

http://www.eleconomista.es/mundo/noticias/959352/01/09/Strong-quake-hits-Costa-Rica-but-no-injuries-reported.html

By John McPhaul

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Reuters) - A strong earthquake struck Costa Rica on Thursday, shaking buildings and causing minor structural damage in the capital, but there were no initial reports of casualties.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the magnitude 6.1 quake occurred some 20 miles (32 km) from San Jose at a depth of 21.7 miles (35 km). The USGS initially estimated the magnitude at 6.2.

Residents of the capital said the shaking lasted around 40 seconds, causing pieces of ceiling to fall down in some homes. Local television showed buildings with shattered windows and damaged walls but emergency services officials had no reports of injuries or death.

"I was very frightened. First I got underneath an arch support and then, when it calmed down, I got out of the house," said lawyer Michael Henreichs, 35, in a residential area.

Costa Rican radio said there were some reports of landslides and damage to a highway in a rural area.

"It was strong. It was scary. It was moving quite a bit," hotel concierge Ronald Ramirez said.

Thanks for the articles. The aftershocks are still coming (over an hour afterwards) so I'm still (there goes another one shaking my monitor) keeping an eye on developments.

Have you still got things falling down? Jeez Rob... must be pretty damn scary. Hope the gal and animals are k too.

Dang! Glad you're OK.

Only the first one knocked things down. It really takes a lot to knock things down, only a handful of earthquakes I've experienced have managed to do so. The aftershocks just shake the monitor a bit but the amount of activity is keeping me interested.

Maybe this is a good time to think about rearranging the combination of acquarium and electronic equipment. Is the equipment up on a platform or shelving?

Losing that equipment would be a major blow to your business expenses.

Are you positive that your building is safe to stay in?

Here's another data source.

The estimates are now moving up a bit with some saying 6.3

http://www.gdacs.org/reports.asp?eventType=EQ&ID=51165&system=asgard&location=CRI&alertlevel=Green&glide_no=

I've been planning to sell it for some time. Moving it is so inconvenient (it weighs more than 500 pounds) that once I decide to move it I'll sell it. I also don't really have anywhere else to put it.

I'm not worried about the structural integrity of the building, but I'm worried a bit about the huge glass panes (two stories high) in my living room, we are staying away from those for now. High winds have busted them in the past so I'm a bit worried that the quake might have done something that the wind can finish.

The tremors are still coming (one hit while typing this) so what I'm more concerned with more to come than the building. It only caused plaster/paint damage to the building itself but I don't want to be around any big glass panes or mirrors until the tremors stop.

Oddly, the USGS is not reporting any aftershocks. Have you gone out to look around at the condition of the outside of the building?

<please move away from big glass panes and wrap you and yours in cotton wool... we will worry>

Sky News was reporting that no-one has been hurt - I find that incredible.... pleasing of course... 6.2/3 is considered a biggun isn't it? <looks to Butrfly for info>.

Are the buildings where you're at all quake proofed?