M 6.9, Gulf of California [Archive] - The Project Avalon Community Forum

MorningSong

21st October 2010, 19:20

Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake Rattles Baja, California

Published October 21, 2010

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Mexico's Baja peninsula Thursday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported.

The quake was centered 717 miles (1,154 km) SE of Tijuana, Mexico. No tsunami warning was issued, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, although the agency said it could cause local waves.

The quake, initially reported as a magnitude 6.6, was centered in the Gulf of California, 65 miles south of Los Mochis in the state of Sinaloa on the mainland. It was very shallow, just 6.2 miles below the seabed.

The Hotel Santa Anita in nearby Los Mochis, Mexico, reportedly felt very strong shaking, but the hotel was not damaged by the quake. There are no immediate reports of damage or injury.

Meanwhile, Californians took refuge under desks and tables in a statewide earthquake survival drill in Los Angeles, the Associated Press reported. The "Great California Shakeout" simulated an earthquake at 10:21 a.m. Thursday, sending participants diving to the floor to practice the "drop, cover and hold" technique.

Organizers say 7.8 million people signed up for the drill, which this year expanded to include some residents of Nevada and Guam.

http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/10/21/magnitude-earthquake-rattles-baja-california/?test=latestnews

MEXICO CITY | Thu Oct 21, 2010 3:02pm EDT

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A powerful magnitude 6.9 quake struck in the Sea of Cortez off Mexico's Baja California on Thursday, rattling towns on both sides of the narrow sea but there were no reports of major damage or injuries.

The quake shook buildings in the tourist resort of La Paz on the Baja California peninsula, famous for its whale watching, as well as along the coast of the state of Sinaloa.

"It was horrible, very strong. We were in the town hall and the roof started creaking so we all ran out," said Mayola Gutierrez, an assistant to the mayor of Ahome in Sinaloa, who said minor damage was done to the facade of the building.

Sinaloa emergency officials said they had no reports of damage but were investigating reports that some buildings had been evacuated.

Sempra Energy, which operates a liquefied natural gas import terminal at Ensenada on the Pacific Coast of Baja California near the U.S. border said there had been no impact on operations.

The quake was centered in the south of the Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California, 65 miles south of Los Mochis in Sinaloa on the mainland. It was very shallow, just 6.2 miles below the seabed.

The Pacific Tsunami center said the quake had not triggered a tsunami but could cause local waves.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69K4DR20101021