On January 12, 2010, a destructive tsunami struck Haiti and the Dominican Republic following a powerful earthquake. According to the official NOAA/NCEI Global Historical Tsunami Database record, the event was directly associated with an earthquake and generated a maximum water height of 3.21 meters.
Event Timeline and Earthquake Parameters
The triggering earthquake occurred on January 12, 2010, at 21 hours, 53 minutes, and 10 seconds UTC. The seismic event registered a magnitude of 7.0. Its epicenter was located at latitude 18.457 and longitude -72.533 in the region encompassing Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The event is cataloged with a validity rating of 4 in the NOAA/NCEI database.
Human and Economic Impacts
The associated tsunami and earthquake disaster resulted in severe humanitarian and financial consequences across the affected area. Official figures record 316,000 deaths and approximately 300,000 injuries. Additionally, total damage is estimated at 8,000 million USD.
Frequently asked questions
When did the 2010 tsunami occur in Haiti and the Dominican Republic?
The tsunami occurred on January 12, 2010, following an earthquake at 21:53:10 UTC.
What was the maximum water height recorded for the 2010 tsunami?
The maximum water height recorded in the NOAA/NCEI database for this event was 3.21 meters.
What was the magnitude of the earthquake associated with the tsunami?
The earthquake associated with the tsunami had a magnitude of 7.0.
What were the reported human and financial impacts of the event?
The event resulted in 316,000 deaths, 300,000 injuries, and an estimated 8,000 million USD in damages.
Sources and further context
Official datasets support the event-specific facts.