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Operational Response of the PRSN for the Puerto Rico 6.4 M Earthquake and the South of Puerto Rico Seismic Sequence

Session: The 7 January 2020 South of Indios (M6.4) Earthquake in Puerto Rico, Response and Lessons [Poster]

Type: Poster

Date: 4/22/2021

Presentation Time: 11:30 AM Pacific

Description: 

Last January 7, 2020 Puerto Rico experienced a local earthquake that was greater in magnitude and caused more damages than any other earthquake during this past century, This event with a magnitude of 6.4 Mww occurred on the southern coast of Puerto Rico at 4:24 am with a location of 11 km S-SW of Guayanilla. It had an intensity close to IX; multiple structures collapsed and many people were left without homes. The analysts that were on shift during the event responded with dedication and responsibility, just like any other event within Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands Region. However, when working on the response, they were also concerned for their family, friends, and coworkers. Within the first five minutes of the event, protocols were followed and implemented while experiencing strong telluric movement within the facility of the Puerto Rico Seismic Network (PRSN). This caused strong effects within the nonstructural aspects and human nature. The response implied the activation of various personnel from different work divisions and analysts within the PRSN in order to support and work together with the various alarms (automatic detection systems) and felt events within the south region of Puerto Rico. This seismic sequence started December 28, 2019 with a felt event of 4.7 Ml; over 13,000 earthquakes that have been located are associated with this seismic sequence, with thousands of felt events and over 45 events greater than 4.5 Ml that continued to damage structures. The geophysical data analysts of the PRSN have faced the greatest challenge during the response within this sequence which is still ongoing. This discussion will go over the response of PRSN during the 6.4 Mww event, the organization and situations faced during operations, the response due to multiple felt events that affected the Puerto Rican population the following days after the main event. Communications with emergency management agencies of the PR/VI region, information disseminated to the general public, and lessons learned during the response of the seismic sequence will also be discussed.

Presenting Author: Gisela Báez-Sánchez

Student Presenter: No

Authors