0
No, the Haitian earthquake occured because Haiti is situated on the eastern end of of a small plate that separates the Caribbean and the North American plates known as the Gonave micro-plate. This micro-plate and hence Haiti is bounded to the north by the Oriente Fracture Zone and to the south by the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault which are both transform faults (very similar to the San Andreas Fault in the USA).
The Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault has been locked for approximately 250 years. As such, stresses have accumulated in the earth's crust over this time, causing energy to be stored in the form of elastic strain (like that in a compressed spring). Ultimately this stress has exceeded the shear strength of the crust in the fault zone causing a sudden brittle failure or rupture. This in turn causes movement and a sudden release of the stored elastic strain energy in the form of seismic waves (as well as heat and sound).
Please see the related questions for further information.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What was the duration of the Haitian earthquake?
24 hours
What was the Haitian earthquake of January 2010 rated on the Richter scale and Moment magnitude scale?
The Richter or local magnitude scale of the Haitian earthquake has been reported as 7.2. and the Moment magnitude as 7.0 (according to the U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center).Please see the related questions for further information about the Haitian earthquake and it's magnitude and severity.7.0 magnitutes
What are some interesting facts about the Haiti earthquake?
Uh. Ask jon. He's haitian.
What was the Richter magnitude of the Haitian earthquake that occurred on the 12th of January 2010?
The Richter or local magnitude scale of the Haitian earthquake has been reported as 7.2. However the Richter Magnitude Scale is no longer the formal scale used for reporting earthquake magnitude having been replaced by the Moment Magnitude Scale.As such, the official strength of the January 12, 2010, quake on the Moment Magnitude Scale was 7.0, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey, National Earthquake Information Center.Please see the related questions for further information about the Haitian earthquake and it's magnitude and severity.
What time and date did the Haitian earthquake of 2010 occur?
The recent (2010) earthquake in Haiti occurred on Tuesday, January the 12th, 2010 at 21:53 UTC / GMT (or 16:53 Haitian time). For further information, please see the related questions.
Number of people in the death toll after Haiti earthquake?
The Haitian government has that estimated 316,000 people died as a result of the 2010 earthquake.
Was the Haitian government responsible for the earthquake that struck them in 2010?
No, the earthquake in Haiti was what is called a natural disaster. A natural disaster is not caused by anyone. Even if the Haitian government did somehow plot the entire thing, the resources needed to even begin to cause such a thing were way beyond what their national treasury could have handled.
Who did the Haitian earthquake effect?
the kids and mothers.
Did the Haitian earthquake cause a tsunami?
yes
What was the duration of the Haitian earthquake?
24 hours
What number was the Haitian earthquake?
The Haiti Earthquake measured about 7 on the Richter Scale.
What caused the haiyuan earthquake?
The Haitian earthquake was caused by the faultline the country sits on.
Was the Haitian earthquake of magnitude 8.0?
No, the Haitian earthquake which occurred on the 12th of January, 2010 had a magnitude of 7.0. Please see the related question for more information.
What was the date of the Haitian earthquake?
January 12, 2010
What was total number of aftershocks for Haitian earthquake?
52
How many were injured in the Haitian earthquake?
just 1
Was they Haiti earthquake caused by constructive plate boundaries?
No. The Haitian earthquake was caused by a transform boundary.
