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Tag: earthquake

  • No casualty as 4.8 magnitude earthquake shakes New York

    No casualty as 4.8 magnitude earthquake shakes New York

    A seismic event rattled New York City and the Tri-State area on Friday morning, marking a significant tremor in the region.

    The U.S. Geological Survey verified a magnitude 4.8 earthquake originating near Lebanon, New Jersey, at 10:23 a.m.

    The seismic activity stands as the most intense since 1973 within the vicinity. While New York City itself did not suffer substantial repercussions, the earthquake’s tremors were widely felt throughout the metropolis, as noted by City Hall.

    Initial reports indicated no immediate damages or outages, with ongoing vigilance from relevant agencies.

    As a precautionary measure, airports in the area were momentarily grounded as authorities conducted thorough inspection of runways for potential harm.

    By 11:30 am, normal operations resumed across all airports except Newark.

    New Jersey Transit advised commuters to anticipate delays due to ongoing bridge assessments. Additionally, the Holland Tunnel underwent a brief closure for inspection but reopened by 11:15 a.m. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) confirmed no disruptions or damages to the New York City subway system as of just before 11 a.m.

    The New York City Department of Education assured the public regarding the safety of school buildings, with staff conducting thorough inspections to ensure structural integrity. They recommended that children remain in school, deemed the safest environment at present.

    In an extreme emergency alert, the New York Fire Department (NYFD) advised residents to remain indoors and to call 911 if they are injured.

    Read Also: Massive earthquake shakes New York

    The NYFD also gave tips on what people should do to be safe.

    “If you are INDOORS, STAY THERE! Get under a desk or table and hang on to it (Drop, Cover, and Hold on!) or move into a hallway or against an inside wall. STAY CLEAR of windows, fireplaces, and heavy furniture or appliances.

    “GET OUT of the kitchen, which is a dangerous place (things can fall on you). DON’T run downstairs or rush outside while the building is shaking or while there is danger of falling and hurting yourself or being hit by falling glass or debris.

    “If you are OUTSIDE — get into the OPEN, away from buildings, power lines, chimneys, and anything else that might fall on you.

    If you are DRIVING — stop, but “carefully. Move your car as far out of traffic as possible. DO NOT stop on or under a bridge or overpass or under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs.

    “STAY INSIDE your car until the shaking stops. When you RESUME driving, watch for breaks in the pavement, fallen rocks, and bumps in the road at bridge approaches.

    “If you are in a MOUNTAINOUS AREA — watch out for falling rock, landslides, trees, and other debris that could be loosened by quakes.

    “If you are near the OCEAN – see these safety rules from NOAA’s Tsunami Warning Center…”

  • Massive earthquake shakes New York

    Massive earthquake shakes New York

    By Olukorede Yishau, United States Bureau Chief 

    A seismic event rattled New York City and the Tri-State area on Friday morning, marking a significant tremor in the region. 

    The U.S. Geological Survey verified a magnitude 4.8 earthquake originating near Lebanon, New Jersey, at 10:23 a.m. 

    This seismic activity stands as the most intense since 1973 within the vicinity. While New York City itself did not suffer substantial repercussions, the earthquake’s tremors were widely felt throughout the metropolis, as noted by City Hall.

    Initial reports indicated no immediate damages or outages, with ongoing vigilance from relevant agencies. 

    Read Also: BREAKING: 4.7 magnitude earthquake hits New York

    As a precautionary measure, airports in the area were momentarily grounded as authorities conducted thorough inspections of runways for potential harm. By 11:30 a.m., normal operations resumed across all airports except Newark.

    New Jersey Transit advised commuters to anticipate delays due to ongoing bridge assessments. Additionally, the Holland Tunnel underwent a brief closure for inspection but reopened by 11:15 a.m. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) confirmed no disruptions or damages to the New York City subway system as of just before 11 a.m.

    The New York City Department of Education assured the public regarding the safety of school buildings, with staff conducting thorough inspections to ensure structural integrity. They recommended that children remain in school, deemed the safest environment at present.

    Meteorologist Lee Goldberg provided insights into the 4.8 magnitude earthquake experienced in the Tri-State area. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy identified the epicenter in Hunterdon County, prompting the activation of the State Emergency Operations Center. Governor Murphy urged residents to reserve 911 calls for genuine emergencies only.

    Governor Kathy Hochul of New York stated that her team is actively evaluating the earthquake’s impacts and any associated damages.

  • BREAKING: 4.7 magnitude earthquake hits New York

    BREAKING: 4.7 magnitude earthquake hits New York

    Precious Igbonwelundu, New York

    A 4.7 magnitude earthquake has occurred in the New York City (NYC) area of New York State, United States of America.

    The earthquake which occurred 10:45am (New York Time) left residents in panic.

    The Nation reports that it shook buildings in The Bronx county despite striking near Lebanon in New Jersey which is about 40 miles west of New York City (NYC).

    People who witnessed the tranbling took to social media platforms to share their experiences.

    Aside New York, residents of New Jersey, Long Island, Virginia, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Philadelphia also said they witnessed the trembling.

    In an extreme emergency alert, the New York Fire Department (NYFD) advised residents to remain indoors and to call 911 if they are injured.

    Read Also: Earthquake shakes western Greece

    The NYFD also gave tips on what people should do to be safe.

    “If you are INDOORS — STAY THERE! Get under a desk or table and hang on to it (Drop, Cover, and Hold on!) or move into a hallway or against an inside wall. STAY CLEAR of windows, fireplaces, and heavy furniture or appliances. 

    “GET OUT of the kitchen, which is a dangerous place (things can fall on you). DON’T run downstairs or rush outside while the building is shaking or while there is danger of falling and hurting yourself or being hit by falling glass or debris.

    “If you are OUTSIDE — get into the OPEN, away from buildings, power lines, chimneys, and anything else that might fall on you.

    If you are DRIVING — stop, but “carefully. Move your car as far out of traffic as possible. DO NOT stop on or under a bridge or overpass or under trees, light posts, power lines, or signs. 

    “STAY INSIDE your car until the shaking stops. When you RESUME driving, watch for breaks in the pavement, fallen rocks, and bumps in the road at bridge approaches.

    “If you are in a MOUNTAINOUS AREA — watch out for falling rock, landslides, trees, and other debris that could be loosened by quakes.

    “If you are near the OCEAN – see these safety rules from NOAA’s Tsunami Warning Center…”

  • Earthquake shakes western Greece

    Earthquake shakes western Greece

    A strong earthquake has shaken western Greece on Friday morning, but no casualties reported.

    The Greek Geodynamic Institute in Athens, said the 5.8 magnitude quake occurred at 9:12 am (0812 GMT) local time.

    The epicentre of the quake was about 20 kilometres below the seabed off the west coast of the Peloponnese peninsula near the islet of Stamfani, also known as Strofades.

    It was preceded by a smaller quake with a magnitude of 4.1.

    Greece’s Civil Defence organisation did not initially say whether there were any casualties or damage to buildings.

    Read Also: Over 240 people still missing after Japan earthquake

    A tsunami warning was not issued.

    “We felt the tremors very strongly,” a resident of the nearby Olympia region said, adding that

    “everyone here is on the streets.”

     Local media reported that many schools had been evacuated as the quake was felt throughout western Greece, and on the tourist island of Zakynthos and as far away as Athens, about 300 kilometres away.

    The deepest point of the Mediterranean Sea is located between western Greece and Sicily in Italy, with a depth of over 5,000 metres.

    The African and European tectonic plates meet in this region, which make it prone to strong earthquakes. (dpa/NAN)

  • Over 240 people still missing after Japan earthquake

    Over 240 people still missing after Japan earthquake

    The number of people missing after a massive earthquake struck the west coast of Japan on New Year’s Day rose to more than 240 on Friday.

    According to local media reports, the government has doubled the number of soldiers deployed to the disaster area to 4,600 to support the emergency services.

    Four days after the quakes struck, the clock was ticking in the search for survivors.

    There were dozens of reports that people remain under collapsed houses.

    Read Also: ‘Huge earthquake’ awaits Israel if it doesn’t stop Gaza attack, Iran warns

    The mountains of rubble, damaged roads, landslides and aftershocks continue to hamper the efforts of rescue teams.

    In Ishikawa Prefecture, the hardest hit, at least 700 people are still cut off from the outside world.

    The report said that around 30,000 households had lost their power supply and 80,000 households had lost their water supply.

    According to the local authorities, around 33,000 people still have to hold out in hundreds of emergency shelters.

    Since the earthquake on New Year’s Day with a magnitude of 7.6, the region on the Sea of Japan has been shaken by more than 150 aftershocks.

    (dpa/NAN)

  • Earthquake: Buhari, AfDB boss condole with Morocco

    Earthquake: Buhari, AfDB boss condole with Morocco

    Former President Muhammadu Buhari and President of African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, have condoled with the people of Morocco on the recent earthquake that claimed more than 2,000 lives and left thousands injured.

    Buhari, in a personal letter to King Muhammad the VI, the ruler of Morocco, with whom he said he had a good working relationship while in office, expressed sadness over the death of hundreds of people, injuries to many and damage in many places.

    The former President said he was really saddened by the disaster and the attendant deaths and destructions.

    Buhari, in a statement circulated by former Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said: “It is with a deep sense of sadness that I write on behalf of my family and myself to express our deepest sympathies and condolences to you and the people of the Kingdom of Morocco in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck your country on 8th September 2023.

    “I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives destruction of property caused by the earthquake. I stand in solidarity with Your Majesty and the people of Morocco in this difficult time and pray for the swift recovery of those who were affected by this tragedy. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may Allah bring peace and solace to those affected.

    Read Also: G20 leaders visit Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial

    “While extending, once again, my condolences, please accept, Your Majesty, the assurances of my highest consideration and esteem.”

    In a statement, Adesina described the incident as devastating and distressing. The AfDB boss said that the incident had brought much sorrow and untold hardship to many families in Morocco.

    According to him, the earthquake threw the nation into grief.

    “The distressing images emerging from Al Haouz, Taroudant, Chichaoua, Ouarzazate, Marrakech, Azilal and Agadir, have touched the hearts of people around the world.

    “I am shocked and profoundly distressed by the heavy loss of lives to this tragedy, which left, in its wake, enormous destruction of homes, offices, roads, hospitals and schools.

    “On behalf of the AfDB Group, I extend my deepest condolences to His Majesty, King Mohammed VI, the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, and every affected family.

  • Earthquake: Fed Govt acquires device to monitor earth movement

    The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has installed high sensitivity seismometers and tilet meters for the monitoring and detection of earth movements and earthquake in the country.

    Mines and Steel Development Minister Bawa Bwari Abubakar dropped the hint yesterday when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy to defend his ministry’s budget.

    Abubakar, who said that the device was acquired as part of the measures to address the country’s geological security, explained that the device was installed at the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) premises, Gwagwalada, Bwari and Kaduna.

    The minister said that the effort was accelerated in response to the earth tremors experienced in the country, especially around Abuja.

    He said that the proactive measure became necessary in order to predict, detect and monitor earth movement and earthquake-related activities.

    Abubakar listed insufficient and untimely release of funds, direct intervention by states in the management of mineral resources, multiple taxation by states and local government areas and inadequate geological data, as some of the challenges facing mining sector.

    Besides, he said that limited supporting infrastructure, insecurity of minefields, especially in Zamfara, Kaduna, Plateau and the Northeast, as well as illegal mining and community challenges were other obstacles.

    He noted that there was no doubt that the mining sector could do better if leakages were blocked.

    Committee ChairmanSenator Enyinnaya Abaribe urged the minister to furnish the panel with detailed breakdown of the budget.

    Read also: Japan cancels friendly with Chile after earthquake

    The committee believed that the revenue capacity of the sector should be raised for the country to benefit, adding that steps should be taken to position the sector to take its pride of place in the economic diversification policy of the Federal Government.

    The ministry proposed N20, 480,057,749 as its budget estimate for this year.

    Out of the amount, N8,559,365,940 is for personnel cost, N1,726,419,857 is for overhead while N10,194,271,952 is for capital projects.

  • Earthquake: FG acquires sensitivity device to monitor earth movement in Abuja, others

    The Ministry of Mines and Steel Development has acquired and installed high sensitivity seismometers and tilet meters for monitoring and detecting earth movements and earthquake in parts of the country.

    Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Hon. Bawa Bwari Abubakar, disclosed this on Thursday when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy to defend his ministry’s 2019 budget.

    Abubakar, who said that the earth movement monitoring device was acquired as part of the measures to address the country’s geological security, explained the device was installed at the Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) premises, Gwagwalada, Bwari and Kaduna.

    The Minister said that the effort was accelerated in response to the recent persistent earth tremors experienced in the country most especially around Abuja.

    He said that the proactive measure became necessary to predict, detect and monitor earth movement and earthquake related activities.

    He listed insufficient and untimely release of funds, direct intervention by states in the management of mineral resources, multiple taxation by states and local governments and inadequate geological data as some of the challenges facing the mining sector.

    The minister also listed limited supporting infrastructure, insecurity of mine fields especially in Zamfara, Kaduna, Plateau and North East and illegal mining and community challenges.

    He noted that there was no doubt the mining sector could do better if leakages were blocked.

    The committee chairman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, asked the minister to furnish the committee with detailed breakdown of the budget.

    The committee believed that the revenue capacity of the sector should be raised for the country to benefit.

    The committee also said that steps should be taken to position the sector to take its pride of place in the scheme of things in the country.

    The ministry proposed N20, 480,057,749 as its budget estimate for 2019.

    Out of the amount the sum of N8,559,365,940 is for personnel cost, N1,726,419,857 is for overhead while N10,194,271,952 is for capital projects.

  • Indonesia’s quakes: Death toll rises to 1,424

    The death toll from multiple quakes and a tsunami in Indonesia’s Central Sulawesi province had risen to 1,424, an official said on Thursday.

    Head of the planning department of the National Search and Rescue Office, Abdul Haris said that the search and rescue operation was hampered by poor access to the hardest-hit areas.

    Read Also:91 killed in Indonesia’s earthquake

    He said that many people are still afraid of been trapped in the ruins in Palu, the provincial capital, and the districts of Donggala and Sigi.

    “Many roads leading to the affected-areas have been cut off to prevent heavy machinery equipment from been taken to the sites.

    “Although electricity has been restored in some areas, blackout still remains in the hardest-hit areas.

    “In some places electricity facilities have resumed function but we still use generators to support our work,’’ he said.

    Spokesman of the National Disaster Management Agency Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said even as many as 25 heavy machinery equipment have joined the rescue operation by far, 21 others are still on the way to the province.

    He said death toll is expected to rise as there are reports that hundreds of locals were feared to be still trapped under the ruins of the houses leveled by the quakes.

    Sutopo said the main airport in the province has resumed operation, with communication, electricity and supply of fuels returning nearly to normal.

    According to him, that will pave way for distribution of emergency aid as well as the search and rescue mission.

    Multiple quakes and a tsunami triggered by the quakes struck the province on Friday with Palu and Donggala district as the hardest-hit.

    NAN

  • Earthquake: Oyo govt allays fear among residents

    The Oyo State government has allayed fears among the residents, especially in Oke-Ogun area, over the likelihood of an earthquake in the state.

    Last month, there was a suspected earthquake incident in Oke-Ogun.

    The government assured that the land-shaking incident was the result of a “force exploration leading to Meteorite breakages of Galatica Rock on the earth surface”.

    It said samples of the meteorite had been sent to the Department of Geology at the University of Ibadan (UI) to analyse the body of the rock and determine its composition.

    The government said it planned to discover the rock radioactive and hazard associated with the meteorite breakages “as investigation result is being expected”.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Solid Minerals, Mathew Oyedokun, recalled that on April 19, a solid piece of debris from an object, such as a comet, asteroid or meteoroid, which originate from the planetary orbit between Mars and Jupiter, survived its way through the atmosphere to reach the surface of the earth and hit villages near Ipapo in Itesiwaju Local Government Area; Aba Leke, Anberee Oke, Owode and Tede in Atisbo Local Government Area.

    Oyedokun said meteorite was accompanied by series of reverberating and disturbing noise on the Earth’s subsurface as observed by residents of the affected localities and other parts of the state, including Ibadan, Oyo and Ibarapa.

    The governor’s aide said he was accompanied on a two-day investigation in the localities by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Chief Isaac Ishola and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Relations, Alhaji Abidemi Siyanbade, to ascertain the level of impact and damage to the communities.

    He urged the residents to be calm, saying the meteorite impact did not occur in a built-up area, gas station, among others, which could have resulted in deaths and destruction of property.

    He said ground impacts were made in the localities and a tree was burnt down because “meteorites are hot bodies moving at high velocity”.