The Event
On Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010, a massive 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck near Campo Mosqueda, just north of San Felipe in Baja California.
First-hand accounts described apocalyptic scenes: "We had just gotten out of the boat and the ground started shaking so bad that I grabbed a tree to hold myself up. I looked at the two trucks and they were bouncing side to side practically coming off the ground. Right next to those trucks was my garage and I watched it collapse right before my eyes."
The ground opened up into massive fissures, some up to six feet wide. Water inexplicably surged up from below, flooding the entire area and raising the level of the Rio Hardy by four to five feet. Many homes, docks, and patios along the river were severely damaged or flattened completely.
Quick Facts
- Date: April 4, 2010
- Magnitude: 7.2
- Epicenter: 32°10'9.96"N 115°16'47.43"W
- Impact: Ground fissures, sudden massive flooding, collapsed structures.
Aftermath Gallery
Original photos retrieved from email threads discussing the damage and coordinating relief efforts in the days immediately following the quake.
On-the-Ground Reports
"We just walked the houses north from Mikies at Campo Mosqueda about 1 mile... people are stranded in and around their homes. Group of 6 girls and 1 doctor stuck and can't get through the mud, all slept outside in the open patios... Hwy 5 was split wide open and buckled upwards in many places.
"Frank and Maria Guzman first-hand report they were celebrating Easter afternoon with the kids and the Earth shook like it was going to be over. Frank is the local contractor and he said his house opened up in the middle of his living room. Maria said, 'I thought it was over, my life, my kids, my family. It was something I've never felt before.'