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StevieTNZ
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http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/79010630/73-quake-hits-near-ecuadorEcuador has been hit by a magnitude 7.8 earthquake, sparking fears of a possible tsunami and causing widespread damage.
The quake's magnitude was originally reported at 7.3, but the US Geological Survey upgraded it to magnitude 7.8, five times more powerful than the original recording.
The quake was 19km deep and centred 27 kilometres south-southeast of Muisne, in a tourist area of fishing ports. At the epicentre, damage was "considerable", the government said.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11624069Ecuador's Vice President Jorge Glas says at least 28 people have been killed in a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the country's central coast.
Glas said Saturday in a televised address that the dead were located in the cities of Manta, Guayaquil and Portoviejo.
He said the earthquake was the strongest to hit Ecuador in decades.
Ecuador has a history of large subduction zone related earthquakes. Seven magnitude 7 or greater earthquakes have occurred within 250 km of this event since 1900. On May 14th, 1942, a M 7.8 earthquake occurred 43 km south of this April 16th, 2016 event. On January 31st, 1906 a M 8.3 earthquake (reportedly as large as M 8.8 in some sources) nucleated on the subduction zone interface 90 km to the northeast of the April 2016 event, and ruptured over a length of approximately 400-500 km, resulting in a damaging tsunami that caused in the region of 500-1,500 fatalities. The April 2016 earthquake is at the southern end of the approximate rupture area of the 1906 event. A shallow, upper crustal M 7.2 earthquake 240 km east of the April 2016 event on March 6th, 1987 resulted in approximately 1,000 fatalities.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/79010630/73-quake-hits-near-ecuadorThe death toll from Ecuador's biggest earthquake in decades soared to at least 238 on Monday as rescuers using tractors and bare hands hunted desperately for survivors in shattered coastal towns.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americ...hquake-magnitude-62-strikes-off-ecuador-coastA 6.2 earthquake shook the coast of Ecuador on Wednesday (Wednesday night NZ Time), just days after a bigger quake battered the area and killed nearly 500 people in a blow to the country's already fragile economy.
The latest earthquake hit 70 km off the Pacific coast town Esmeraldas at a depth of 10 km, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said. That was not far from the epicenter of Saturday's (Sunday NZT) 7.8 magnitude quake.
StevieTNZ said:
The magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Ecuador was caused by the movement of tectonic plates along the boundary between the South American Plate and the Nazca Plate. This area is known as the subduction zone, where the denser Nazca Plate is forced underneath the South American Plate, causing intense pressure and eventually resulting in an earthquake.
The magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Ecuador caused widespread damage, including collapsed buildings, roads and bridges, and significant landslides. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but it is estimated that thousands of buildings were destroyed and over 600 people lost their lives.
Yes, there were numerous aftershocks following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Ecuador. In the first 24 hours after the initial earthquake, there were over 200 aftershocks recorded, some of which were as strong as magnitude 6.0.
Yes, Ecuador is located in a region known as the "Ring of Fire," where tectonic plates meet and cause frequent seismic activity. Earthquakes are relatively common in this area, with several major earthquakes occurring in the past century.
The government of Ecuador, along with international aid organizations, is working to provide emergency aid and resources to those affected by the earthquake. This includes providing food, shelter, medical supplies, and assistance with rebuilding. Donations and support from individuals and organizations around the world are also helping with relief efforts.