The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0. The epicenter was located near the city of Leogane, located about 16 miles west of Port-au-Prince.

The earthquake took place on January 12, at 16:53 eastern time.

An estimated 300,000 people were dead. The Haitian government reported that more than 1,000,000 were injured or left homeless as a result of the earthquake. The Haitian government also estimated that 250,000 residential and 30,000 commercial buildings were destroyed.

Major damages were reported in Port-au-Prince, Leogane, Jacmel and other cities located nearby.

Several landmark buildings were also destroyed as a result of the earthquake. The Haitian National Palace, the National Assembly building, the historic Port-au-Prince Cathedral, Haiti main prison, United nation Headquarter, all destroyed taking many lives with them.

Many notable individuals were also killed in the Haiti earthquake. The Archbishop of Port-au-Princes, Joseph Serge Miot, Micha Gaillard, United Nations Stabilization Chief, Hedi Annabi were all killed.

Many problems suddenly appeared and had to be dealt with immediately. The Haiti earthquake affected the local hospitals, rescue and medical teams, electricity and air traffic. The local morgues were at over capacity, no local authority present. Some looting and violence were noted.

In the meantime, people did not want to go back to the buildings that were not destroyed by the quake. The city was recording many after shocks

Prediction: In 2007, earthquake prediction studies realized by DeMets and Grandison concluded that the area is at the end of its seismic cycle and that there forecasted at the worst case scenario a earthquake of magnitude of 7.2