We interrupt the A to Z posts for this announcement:
At approximately 6:30 p.m. local time Saturday an earthquake registering 7.8 occurred off the northern coast of Ecuador. Ecuador is about the size of Colorado, so the quake was felt throughout the country and even into Columbia. There have been six aftershocks so far.
I am in Cuenca, and so far it appears we escaped any major damage here. But other areas of the country were hit hard and as reports are just coming in, there is devastation and loss of life. We are still waiting to hear from friends along the coast and in the cities of Guayaquil and Quito. Cell phones and landlines are out in many areas as are power and internet service.
The earthquake is triggering landslides and there is a concern it could cause more severe eruptions of the active volcanoes.
Please keep Ecuador in your positive thoughts and prayers.
~*~
Scarlett Loving life in Cuenca!
Frankly Scarlett: The insights and adventures of Scarlett Braden
Frankly Scarlett
I am sorry to hear this Scarlett. I hope there won't be any more aftershocks. Japan too had major earthquakes this weekend. I am glad to hear you are OK in Cuenca.
ReplyDeleteI see the death toll is up to 235 at the moment. Do you still love life in Cuenca? Not sure I would be too happy living in a country prone to quakes. We get tremors in Ontario but that's all.
DeleteYes, Jo. I still love life in Cuenca! The fact is wherever you live there are dangers. Both man made and natural. Where I lived in the U.S. we had tornadoes and hurricanes that we don't have here. Cuenca hasn't sustained earthquake damage for as long as records have been kept, over 500 years. Loja hasn't had earthquake damage in 400 years. I read an article that explained it's because the Andes are so old and settled the plates underneath don't move. Areas I've lived in the States have been demolished with floods, winds, fires. Other areas mudslides, forest fires, earthquakes. I think there is a natural order of things we have to accept. So yes, we have volcanoes and earthquakes, but in Cuenca at least we are pretty isolated and enjoy year round wonderful weather.
DeleteThinking of you; and glad you're okay. -- Jaye from Life Afloat
ReplyDelete