April 14, 2014 Earthquake: Managua, Ciudad Sandino, Nicaragua

Mateare, Managua, Nicaragua - CDI: 7; Managua, Managua, Nicaragua - CDI: 7; Granada, Granada, Nicaragua - CDI: 5; Tipitapa, Managua, Nicaragua - CDI: 4

Tectonic Summary

Seismotectonics of the Caribbean Region and Vicinity

Extensive diversity and complexity of tectonic regimes characterizes the perimeter of the Caribbean plate, involving no fewer than four major plates (North America, South America, Nazca, and Cocos). Inclined zones of deep earthquakes (Wadati-Benioff zones), ocean trenches, and arcs of volcanoes clearly indicate subduction of oceanic lithosphere along the Central American and Atlantic Ocean margins of the Caribbean plate, while crustal seismicity in Guatemala, northern Venezuela, and the Cayman Ridge and Cayman Trench indicate transform fault and pull-apart basin tectonics.

(above from reference #13456)

An earthquake struck Nicaragua early on Monday, damaging at least seven houses in and around the capital Managua, but there were no immediate reports of deaths or serious injuries. The quake follows two others late last week. An official at Nicaragua's seismological authority said that the magnitude was 5.6 and that the shallow depth of its epicenter had caused a greater impact. The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake struck some 6 km (4 miles) northwest of Managua at a depth of 14 km. The USGS registered the quake at magnitude 5.1. Government spokeswoman Rosario Murillo said there were initial reports of two houses in Managua collapsing and five others in Ciudad Sandino, just outside the capital. President Daniel Ortega told local radio no deaths had been reported due to the quake because residents had quickly left their homes when it started. He added that some people were reportedly injured, but did not give details of how many. (reference #10894)