Earthquakes Devastating Puerto Rico
A series of earthquakes brutally shook Puerto Rico at the end of last year and early into this month. The first earthquake happened in late December, and since then, the island has faced over a thousand aftershocks, varying in severity. According to the US Geological Survey (USGC), “Since late December, there have been 123 earthquakes of magnitude 3 or higher, which were strong enough for residents near the epicenter to feel. The swarm included earthquakes with magnitudes 6.4 and 5.8.”
The earthquakes have caused extreme damage to the island, much of which is visible from space. The 6.4 magnitude quake alone destroyed hundreds of buildings and cost an estimated $100 million dollars in damage. The earthquake swarm also damaged schools and knocked out power in many cities. People in Puerto Rico are living in constant fear because the aftershocks are predicted to continue. Researchers are studying the recent earthquakes to predict what other natural disasters may occur in the future so that residents can be prepared. Millions of Puerto Ricans are struggling to find shelter, food, and clean water - a struggle that has lasted since December.
The location of the island makes it susceptible to a multitude of natural disasters. The country lies between the North American Plate and the Carribean Plate, making Puerto Rico extremely prone to quakes that can cause other natural disasters like tsunamis. According to Elizabeth Vanacore, seismologist of the Puerto Rico Seismic Network, “We’re just as likely to have earthquakes as a place like California, Japan, New Zealand, Alaska.”
If you want to help the earthquake victims, you can do so by donating to charitable organizations and relief efforts. Some of the best organizations you can donate to are the American Red Cross, Hispanic Federation, and UNICEF. The links to each of these organizations are included below.
To Donate:
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