5.9 Earthquake in Michoacan Mexico

[Mercy Now]

Michoacan is south of Mexico City. The quake did little damage.

[Richard]

Here's a news story about it.

Mexico rocked by earthquake; fear of 1985 repeat unfounded

Posted on : Fri, 11 Aug 2006 17:28:00 GMT | Author : Peter Goodyear
News Category : Environment

Mexico City rocked once again today with the tremors of a moderate 5.9 intensity earthquake, fearing a repeat of the devastating 1985 earthquake. However, this one, though induced panic and caused several buildings to sway, did no further damage and no casualties were reported. Hundreds of people ran out of buildings and swarmed onto streets waiting for a clear signal to go back inside.

The U.S. Geological Service estimated the earthquake to be centered fin the Pacific Ocean 59 miles below ground. The Mexican Sismology Centre stated the nearest shore was that of Guerrero state. The quake's centre was located in the Pacific Ocean, off the shore of the state of Guerrero and south of Mexico City, according to the Mexican National Sismology Centre. The center was exactly 126 miles away from Mexico City. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reassured people that the earthquake was much too inland and mild to fear a tsunami being caused.

The quake took place at 9:30 am (1431 GMT) when most people were at work or heading to work. Carlos Avila who works at the federal Public Safety Department vividly recalls his fear when in his office “the shelves were moving and the walls were vibrating.” Another panicky employee, Sanjeev Patny from American Express said that he walked down 10 flight of stairs as a safety measure and then waited till he was given the all-clear signal.

Students too fled out of their University library, as reported by an anthropology student of UNAM University – the largest one in Latin America. Safety and emergency officials however quickly restored calm, emphasizing that this was not like in 1985 and reassuring worried citizens.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/8093.html