Hi Petra. My goodness you have been busy. Just thought I would see what I could find in the way of news.

An M=5.0 earthquake in Yunnan, China occurred on January 12, and was initially reported to have caused minor damage however it was reported later to have caused considerable damage was reported by the Shanghai Daily (online).

Estimated damages from this earthquake were about $7 million (U.S. Dollars). Nearly 20,000 have been transferred from the stricken area. The quake damaged nearly 15,000 homes and 16 schools in this poor area. The shock was reported to have hit nine villages in Mojiang and injured one person. Food and clothing are being sent to the area. There was another saying one person was killed.

This is the strongest earthquake to have occurred in the region of Yunnan, China since an M=4.7 on August 13, 2005. Only two other earthquakes of M=5 have hit this province in the past year - on August 5, 2005 (M=5.2) and on Jan. 25, 2005 (M=4.9).

An earthquake of M=3.7 shook the capital City of Accra, Ghana and was felt lightly by residents of that city. No damage or casualties were reported (Source: Mathaba.com).

This is the strongest event reported to have occurred in Ghana since an M=4.4 on March 6, 1997. A series of earthquakes occurred on the southeastern edge of Nigeria and Cameroon on March 27-28, 1999 and to the northwest of this location on March 7, 2000.

Dr. S.T. Ahulu, Seismic Engineer at the Geological Survey Department noted that this could be indicative of a possible larger future earthquake in the region. Where have we heard that before? Take Care…Don in creepy town