Nicaraguans Fear Another Earthquake

related: Earthquake in Nicaragua, 10 000 Dead - flashback

December 23, 2007
Prensa Latina - Havana

Managua — Few hours before another anniversary of the earthquake that devastated this city 35 years ago, scientists warned that the tragedy that killed more than 10,00 Nicaraguans could happen again.

The CIEGO (Center for Geophysics Research of the National University of Managua) said the conditions that originated the catastrophe are latent.

A study by the entity refers to the danger represented by the Nejapa Fault, which is active, id the longest and is close to three others dangerous fractures of the earth.

It said that the activity of this crack, which is 15 miles long, created other cracks and it is near the Mateare Fault, the largest of Managua, with 45 miles, and Tiscapa Fault, which caused the 1972 earthquake.

The scientists said there is a true threat to the capital citizens.

The CIEGO Director Dionisio Rodriguez warned that the 14 faults known in Managua are active, and any of them could cause an earthquake.

However, he clarified that the Nejapa mega fault is the most likely to unleash a telluric tremor of great magnitude.

The situation is being carefully observed, with great concern, after the Nicaraguan Institute for Territorial Studies had registered 1,400 telluric movements in different spots of the country up to November.

Compared to other years, there is greater calmness, but that peace worries the experts because accumulation of energy between the tectonic plates could be released with the strength of an earthquake.

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