The University of the
West Indies Seismic Research Center reported that there were at least seven
aftershocks from the earthquake, about one every three minutes. The quake was
measured at a magnitude of 6.9 in Trinidad and lasted 90 seconds, seismic specialists
said. They also noted that it was one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the
country since 1968.
“Based on the
observations so far, Trinidad suffered minor damages,” Illias Papadopoulos, a
seismologist at the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Center told
the Miami Herald. “It should be noted, though, that the information collected
over the years indicates that this is not the biggest possible event we expect
in the vicinity of Trinidad & Tobago.
“Historically, we
have evidence of even larger events, which are expected to cause higher levels
of ground shaking, and consequently more damage. ‘’
The Trinidad Express
reported that the country was “stunned” by the quake as residents fled
their homes.
“That was so
scary,” Vaughn Ramdeen, who lives in Arima, Trinidad, tweeted. “Couldn’t
do anything but remain in one spot. Still trembling. The house was shaking like
crazy. We ran out. Thankfully there are no power lines so didn’t have to worry
about anything falling on us. It lasted about a minute.”
Electricity and
telephone outages were reported in some parts of Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and
Tobago’s capital. Videos circulating on social media showed groceries falling
off store shelves, buildings with cracks, and a piece of a mountain in
Chaguaramas along Trinidad’s northwest peninsula falling into the ocean.
There were no
immediate reports of casualties as the country waited to hear back from
disaster and preparedness workers who fanned out across the country to provide
a report.
Read More at https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/venezuela/article217103030.html
Hoping that things are alright for our friends at the House of Angostura in Trinidad and at DUSA and Sana Teresa Distilleries in Venezuela. Earthquakes of that magnitude can lead to finding many buildings unusable, the long term damage is rarely seen at first. Best wishes for your safety.
