Thread: 6.0 magnitude earthquake hits CNMI

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

6.0 magnitude earthquake hits CNMI

By Haidee V. Eugenio
Reporter

A 6.0 magnitude earthquake jolted the CNMI at 7:47 last night, based on information from the U.S. Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center. No tsunami advisory was issued as a result of the quake.

The Monday night quake occurred near the CNMI's northern island of Agrihan and Maug at a depth of 277.5 miles. The epicenter was located at 19.342 degrees north and 144.728 degrees east.

A check with the CNMI Emergency Management Office around 8pm said the quake had a magnitude of 5.0.

USGS estimated the quake epicenter’s distance at 75 miles west-northwest of Agrihan, 85 miles south of Farallon de Pajaros, 290 miles north-northwest of Saipan, and 405 miles north of Hagatna in Guam.

On Feb. 28, a tsunami warning was hoisted in the CNMI in the wake of an 8.8 magnitude quake in Chile, resulting in a brief evacuation of residents from low-lying areas on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

Acting Gov. Eloy S. Inos issued the tsunami warning at 9am on Feb. 28 and ordered the evacuation, but cancelled it at 10:30am that day.

http://www.saipantribune.com/newsstory. ... wsID=97809

CNMI is The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands