20100101
africanews

Two experts from the Earthquake Disaster Assistance Team in the United States Geological survey [USGS] are expected to arrive in Malawi to carry out detailed assessment of the causes of recent earthquakes in Karonga District.
a town in Malawi
A statement from the US embassy in Malawi said the two are scheduled to arrive from January 4 – 16 to consult local authorities and visit the site of the recent earthquake in Karonga.

The statement added that the team would “evaluate the probabilities of future large earthquakes and to determine the factors that contributed to the loss of lives and buildings.”

The statement also said the team will train local experts in Malawi in the science of post-earthquake assessments and in communicating with the public and assess existing disaster response plans and the monitoring of earthquake hazards.

“Following a site visit to the area surrounding the epicenter of the quakes, the USGS officials will conduct a one-day training workshop on ‘Earthquake Hazards and Disaster Preparedness in Malawi’ in Zomba,” it stated.

Malawian geological experts say over 30 earthquakes have hit Karonga since December 6, killing four people, displacing over 4,000 people and destroying 1,11O houses.
The largest quake measured 6.2 on the Richter scale.