How much do the tectonic plates actually move to cause an earthquake like in Haiti?

Question

I would like to know the general distance of motion that causes an earthquake like in Haiti.  I know that there was not much depth in dirt (earth) to buffer the Haiti earthquake -- but did the tectonic plates move a few feet???? a few meters???  Just wondering.  And if you can, please donate what you can to help the people in Haiti.

meanolmaw · Accepted Answer

I found this about the Indonesian quake....

The overall fault slip was 10-20 meters,lifting UP underwater.... this one slid sideways, so no tsunami, thanks be..... 

http://www.uwgb.edu/DutchS/PLATETEC/RotationQk2004.HTM

we won't know about the Haitian quake movement until the science folks have a look at it all.....

? · Answer

The scientific analysis of Haiti will have to wait a while, but I remember that the maximum displacement after the 7.1 Loma Prieta event in 1989 was about six meters.

I've already donated to Doctors Without Borders, but I considered sending money to the US Army Corps of Engineers, just so they could upgrade the airport to handle more than about six planes at once.

michael971 · Answer

Plates move about as fast as your fingernails grow but if you let your fingernails grow for a hundred years they would be 12 feet long.

Krissy C · Answer

i think it was a small distance. i mean it only takes centimeaters to make bad things happen. i know that it was a few miles from au prince (i think thats how you spell it) and the epicenter was only 7 feet under ground.

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How much do the tectonic plates actually move to cause an earthquake like in Haiti?

4 Answers