Powerful earthquake rattles Ecuador for about 45 secs.
Magnitude 7.2 earthquake, epicentered at 1.260°S, 77.312°W, struck a remote Amazon region at a depth of more than 200km, rattling Ecuador and parts of neighboring Peru for about 45 seconds.
The shock was the strongest to strike Ecuador in 12 years. A 7.2Mw quake struck off the country’s coast in 1998, according to USGS/EHP records.
In 1949 a 6.8Mw earthquake in Ambato killed at least 5,000 people, and destroyed hundreds of homes.
The quake occurred about 128km ENE (79 degrees) of the 3km tall Tungurahua, one of Ecuador’s most active volcanoes, which has been active this year. FEWW forecast more explosive activity from Ecuador volcanoes in 2010 through 2012 and beyond.
Snow-capped Tungurahua, seen from near the town of Baños on its northern flank, rises 3,200 m above steep-walled canyons. Historical eruptions, separated by long reposes, have produced powerful explosions, sometimes accompanied by pyroclastic flows and lava flows. All historical eruptions have originated from the summit crater, and have typically lasted for several years. The largest historical eruptions took place in 1886, 1916, and 1918. Photo by Minard Hall, 1976 (Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito). Caption: GVP.
Earthquake Details
- Magnitude: 7.1 [USGS/EHP estimate]
- Date-Time:
- Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 11:54:16 UTC
- Thursday, August 12, 2010 at 06:54:16 AM at epicenter
- Location: 1.260°S, 77.312°W
- Depth: 211 km (131.1 miles)
- Region: ECUADOR
- Distances:
- 145 km (90 miles) E of Ambato, Ecuador
- 155 km (95 miles) ENE of Riobamba, Ecuador
- 155 km (95 miles) SSW of Nueva Loja, Ecuador
- 175 km (110 miles) SE of QUITO, Ecuador
- Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 3.3 km (2.1 miles)
- Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
- Event ID: us2010zwa5
10-degree Map Centered at 0°N,75°W
EQ Location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by FEWW.
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