Five-point-five Magnitude Quake Rattles Honduran Coast

There was an earthquake that rattled the Honduran coast this morning and some of the tremors were said to be felt in Belize. The first concern Belizeans had as a result of the news was whether there would be a tsunami watch to follow. But despite the concern the five-point-five magnitude earthquake was not significant enough to cause any known major damage or casualties. News Five spoke today with Chief Meteorologist, Ronald Gordon to find out more about the earthquake and how we would know if a tsunami was actually heading to our shores.

Voice of: Ronald Gordon

Voice of: Ronald Gordon, Chief Meteorologist

“At about nine-fifteen this morning, local time, we had a five point five magnitude earthquake occurring at about at about thirty-eight kilometers to the north, northwest of on  Guanaja, Honduras. The earthquake was at a depth of about ten kilometers and there tremors across the country from the earthquake. We don’t have instruments in the country to detect if a tsunami is triggered, but we rely on information coming from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre and we are on their mailing list and immediately after an earthquake triggers a tsunami we would receive an alert coming from them either via email or through PAC and as the National Tsunami Warning Focal Point for the country, the National Meteorological Service would send that information to NEMO so that the necessary alert can be put out to the public.”

Marion Ali

“And how soon after the tsunami is triggered do we get the notification?”

Voice of: Ronald Gordon

“I would say within five to ten minutes we’d get the notification if there’s a threat of a tsunami.”