Devastating 6.4 Earthquake Hits Puerto Rico

A powerful earthquake hit Puerto Rico at 4:24 this morning, causing lots of damage to roads and property.  The earthquake was centered in Guanica, but was felt all over the island.
A tsunami warning was issued and then cancelled.  Power is out all over Puerto Rico.  The Costa Sur power plant suffered structural damage and it is out of service for the time being.


A death in Ponce was reported due to the earthquake and damages throughout different municipalities: Guanica, Guayanilla, Yauco, Lares, Ponce, and Cabo Rojo.  This is the strongest earthquake to hit Puerto Rico since 1918.  The Governor of Puerto Rico issued an emergency declaration and electricity is expected to be restored tomorrow to some parts of the island.

https://youtu.be/Tcu9_Hh1WpI

Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

Cabo Rojo is a city located on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico.  It is bordered by Mayagüez and Hormigueros to the north, San Germán and Lajas to the east, the Caribbean Sea to the south and the Mona Passage to the west.  Cabo Rojo's terrain is mostly plain.  However, some notable peaks are Mariquita, Buena Vista, Vargas, and Peñones de Melones.


Tourism has increased in recent years in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.  With Cabo Rojo's beautiful beaches, marinas and hotels have been developed.  Cabo Rojo is also well known for its fishing, and its many seafood restaurants.


The famous Cabo Rojo lighthouse, Los Morrillos Lighthouse, known by locals as El Faro, was built in 1881 over limestone cliffs that rise 200 feet above sea level.  The lighthouse is simple in architecture and the illuminating apparatus is housed in a cast-iron, copper and glass lantern.  Los Morrillos Lighthouse was automated in 1967, but was originally operated by two keepers and an engineer, who lived on the lighthouse with their families.  Faro Los Morrillos is known to have some spectacular ocean views in the West Coast of Puerto Rico.


National protected areas in Cabo Rojo are: The National Wildlife Refuge, home for a number of native bird species including the endangered Yellow-shouldered Blackbird also known as La Mariquita de Puerto Rico, and The Boqueron State Forest, one of seven state forests managed by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.



Places of interest in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico:
Boquerón Beach, Cofresí Cave, El Combate Beach, Joyuda Beach, Joyuda Lagoon, Market Plaza,
Club Deportivo del Oeste, Nautical Club, Punta Arenas Beach, Punta Real Beach, Isla de Ratones,
Buye Beach, The Lighthouse (El Faro) Beach, and La Playuela in Los Morrillos (El Faro) (Playa Sucia).

                                                                 

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Mona Island, Puerto Rico

Mona Island (Isla de la Mona) is located 41 miles west off the coast of Puerto Rico.  Mona Island is the third-largest island of the archipelago of Puerto Rico, after the main island of Puerto Rico and Vieques.  It measures about 7 miles by 4 miles, and is the largest of three islands located in the Mona Passage, the other islands being Monito Island and Desecheo Island.


Mona is an ecological reserve and is not permanently inhabited.  Rangers from the island's Department of Natural and Environmental Resources reside on the island to manage visitors and do research projects.  Mona Island has caves and is surrounded by sea cliffs.  Many caves have drawings that were left behind by the Taíno Indians, the island's original inhabitants.  With an arid climate many endemic species inhabit the island, such as the Mona Ground Iguana.  The island serves as a retreat for Puerto Ricans and nature enthusiasts from all over the world.  Scientists, ecologists, and students have visited Mona Island to explore its distinct ecosystem. 


Often compared to the Galápagos island, Mona Island and the surrounding waters have plenty of sea birds, more than 270 species of fish and many endangered sea turtles.  Mona island is known among divers for its vibrant reefs and crystal clear waters.  The lighthouse in Mona Island was built in 1900, and was one of the first two lighthouses built by the U.S Government in Puerto Rico.  In 1981, the Mona Island Lighthouse was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places as "Faro de la Isla de la Mona."  Tours to the island are available from Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico.  Another way to get to Mona Island is by private yacht.


Here is a video of Mona Island:



                                                             

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