Before and after Haiti's earthquake (photos)
Google has updated Google Earth showing before and after images of the devastation caused by the earthquake on Tuesday.
Before
The magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday occurred along the strike-slip fault line that separates the Caribbean and North American tectonic plates, just 10 miles southwest of the capital city, Port-Au-Prince.
The quake, the largest in the region in more than 200 years, has been devastating, and throughout Port-Au-Prince buildings have collapsed, leaving people trapped and streets blocked with the ruins of fallen buildings.
After
Here is the same area as seen after the earthquake.
Before
This image from Google shows Champs de Mars plaza on an average day in 2008 before the devastating quake struck.
After
The normally calm Champs de Mars plaza in front of the the Presidential Palace has, like other public spaces throughout the city, become a place to gather and to seek refuge from the destruction caused by the earthquake.
A neighborhood in Port-Au-Prince, before.
A neighborhood in Port-Au-Prince, before.
Poorly maintained
According to the Encyclopedia of Nations, "Haiti's infrastructure is primitive and poorly maintained, the result of decades of under-investment and environmental damage."
The poor infrastructure accelerated the damage caused by the quake, inflicting an unusually high toll for a quake with magnitude of 7.0.
Here, the same area is seen after the quake.
Before
A building near the city's center before the quake.
Destruction
The same building after Tuesday's earthquake.
Stade Sylvio Cator, after
The 30,000-person multipurpose stadium Stade Sylvio Cator, named for Haitian Olympic medalist long jumper Sylvio Cator, as seen before the quake in 2008.
Stade Sylvio Cator, before
The Stade Sylvio Cator was damaged in the earthquake, and its grounds have now become a safe haven for earthquake refugees.
Boulevard JeanJaques Dessalines
A corner building along Boulevard Jean-Jaques Dessalines before Tuesday's quake.
Boulevard JeanJaques Dessalines
The same corner building after it collapsed, partially blocking the surrounding streets.
Presidential Palace
The Presidential Palace prior to its collapse in the earthquake on Tuesday.
Presidential Palace collapse
The Presidential Palace in the Champs de Mars plaza was nearly destroyed following Tuesday's quake.
Before the collapse
A block of buildings near the Presidential Palace before the earthquake.
Near the Presidential Palace
The same block near the Presidential Palace collapsed into the street after the quake.
More Galleries
My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?