A 7.0 magnitude earthquake occurred 10 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti on January 12, 2010; at 4:53 p.m. EST. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 6.2 miles. A Tsunami Watch was issued for Haiti, Cuba, Bahamas, and the Dominican Republic on January 12, 2010 at 5:03 p.m. EST, but was subsequently cancelled at 6:45 p.m. EST (1 hour and 42 minutes later).
USGS is reporting numerous aftershocks ranging from 4.2 to 5.9 magnitudes, and media is reporting unconfirmed fatalities, injuries, and extensive damages. Under the U.S. Department of State Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), US&R task forces from Fairfax County, VA and Los Angeles County, CA will deploy to Haiti to provide search and rescue assistance. (NWS; NOAA; USGS)
