Earthquake jolts southwest Nicaragua

MANAGUA (AFP) Apr 29, 2004
A moderately strong earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale jolted Nicaragua on Wednesday, but there were no reports of fatalities or material damage, the Nicaragua's Meteorological agency said.

The quake alarmed people in the cities of Rivas, Carazo and Masaya in southwest Nicaragua when it hit around 6:57 pm (0057 GMT, Thursday).

The epicenter was located some 230 kilometers (143 miles) south of Managua, in the Pacific Ocean off Costa Rica's west coast, according to the Nicaraguan Institute of Territorial Studies (INETER).

In cities where the quake was felt the tremors lasted a few seconds, and caused people to run into the streets.

INETER said the earthquake was caused by the brushing together of tectonic plates.

TERRA.WIRE