OceanExpert | Document

Author(s)	Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
Doc Type	Report
Status	Published on 11 Dec 2013
Notes	In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake of 12 January 2010 that hit Haiti, significant efforts are underway to identify and mitigate the risk associated with future earthquake and tsunamis that will impact Haiti. In addition to efforts focused on Port-au-Prince, research and assessments are being performed for northern Haiti, in particular Cap- Haitien. On 7 May 1842, an earthquake occurred at 17:00 local time (21:00 UTC) with an estimated magnitude that ranges from 7.6 to 8.1 Mw. A destructive tsunami was also triggered by this earthquake. Both the earthquake and tsunami strongly affected the northern coast of Haiti and what is now the northern Dominican Republic. Approximately 5,000 people were killed by the effects of the earthquake shaking and another 300 by the tsunami. Currently, there are several efforts underway and potential projects that could be funded to define the seismic and tsunami hazard and risk for northern Haiti and Hispaniola and prepare for potentially catastrophic events. The purpose of this technical scientific meeting was to discuss the source of the 1842 event as well as other sources of earthquakes and tsunamis that could impact the northern coast of Haiti and could be used for earthquake and tsunami hazard assessment and risk reduction projects for this area.
Keywords	tsunami, haiti, earthquake, hazard assessment
This document is in the list(s):	Publications

IOC/2013/WR/255

Earthquake and tsunami hazard in Northern Haiti: historical events and potential sources