A tsunami watch was in effect for ...Haiti, Cuba, Bahamas, Dominican Republic

13 January 2010. The warning was cancelled two hours after the earthquake. There was no tsunami generated

• © NOAA

An earthquake has occurred with these preliminary parameters

Origin time - 2153z
12 January 2010
Coordinates - 18.5 North
72.5 West 
Location - Haiti region
Magnitude - 7.1

A tsunami measuring 12 cm crest-to-trough was recorded at Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and a tsunami less than 1 cm crest-to-trough was recorded on a deep ocean gauge in the east-central caribbean. Based on these data there could have been destructive tsunami waves near the earthquake epicenter but there is not a threat to coastal areas further away. Therefore the tsunami watch issued by this center is now cancelled.

For any affected areas - when no major waves have occurred for at least two hours after the estimated arrival time or damaging waves have not occurred for at least two hours then local authorities can assume the threat is passed. Danger to boats and coastal structures can continue for several hours due to rapid currents. As local conditions can cause a wide variation in tsunami wave action the all clear determination must be made by local authorities.

Related links:
::  FIVE years after the tsunami in the Indian Ocean [.pdf]
::  Tsunami glossary, 2008 [.pdf, 5.48 MB]
::  Tsunami, The Great Waves (.pdf, 4.13MB]
::  UNESCO Natural Disaster Reduction Programme (More)
::  UNESCO pledges support for Haiti after earthquake (More)

• Source:NOAA
• 13-01-2010