Some call it an earthquake, some call it just tremors. Some other says that is like a divine intervention. All I can say is the earth was shaking.
Puerto Rico is an island that is used to be hit by other natural disasters like hurricanes but this kind on phenomena are not something people keep memories about.
An earthquake of 6.4 (Mw) occurred on January 7, 2020. The epicenter was located at Yauco, a city located at the south of the island. This is the 3rd biggest earthquake in Puerto Rico since there are records about it. Houses, schools, church and roads were affected. People preferred to stay outside their houses in fear of a collapse for the continuous tremors.
I met a family who partially move outside their home and spend the all day at the porch. They preferred to stay outside than inside due to the constant aftershocks and the fear of the collapse of the house.
GUANICA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 8: A woman hugs and comfort her cousin who was affected by the earthquake.
GUANICA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 7: A man ride his bike and pass in front of the debris after 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit Guanica, Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020
GUANICA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 7: Car pass through the damages caused by the earthquake.
GUAYANILLA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 7: A sign left by house owner: "We are ok. Cheo y Ana".
GUANICA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 7: Damages on Guanica town after an earthquake on January 7th 2020.
GUAYANILLA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 7: Inmaculada Concepcion church.
PONCE, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 18: Relief aid was found it at a storage facility in Ponce. Apparently the aid was never distributed after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.
GUAYANILLA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 7: Inmaculada Concepcion church.
GUAYANILLA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 9: A basketball field shows signs of damages after the earthquake.
GUANICA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 8: Americares response team visiting the affected by the earthquake.
GUAYANILLA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 9: People gather to collect water. No running water service after the earthquake.
GUAYANILLA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 11: A worker took a photo of the devastation on the Immaculate Conception Church in Guayanilla. The Immaculate Conception Church was founded on 1841.
GUAYANILLA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 9: Refugee camp setup on a baseball field.
GUANICA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 8: An old lady sleeps outside her home.
GUAYANILLA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 9
GUANICA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 11: A man rides his bike in front of a collapse house in Barriada Esperanza.
GUAYANILLA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 9: A family lives on a van after the earthquake.
GUANICA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 11: Agripina Seda school collapse after the earthquake on January 7th 2020.
PONCE, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 18: Relief aid was found it at a storage facility in Ponce. Apparently the aid was never distributed after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.
GUAYANILLA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 11: Elena Lugo (78 yo) have Alzheimer. They are sleeping outside their home due to the continuos tremors.
GUANICA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 12: Kid plays on an improvised family room after 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit Guanica, Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020
GUANICA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 12: Inside of a damaged house after 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit Guanica, Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020
PONCE, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 18: Relief aid was found it at a storage facility in Ponce. Apparently the aid was never distributed after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.
GUANICA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 11: A man took a photo of a collapse house in Barriada Esperanza, Guanica.
GUANICA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 7: Damages on Guanica town after an earthquake on January 7th 2020.
PONCE, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 18: Relief aid was found it at a storage facility in Ponce. Apparently the aid was never distributed after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.
GUANICA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 12: Residents sleeps and spend all the day outside their house due to the fear of the house collapse after 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit Guanica, Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020
PONCE, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 18: Relief aid was found it at a storage facility in Ponce. Apparently the aid was never distributed after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.
GUANICA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 7: Damages on Guanica town after an earthquake on January 7th 2020.
PONCE, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 18: Relief aid was found it at a storage facility in Ponce. Apparently the aid was never distributed after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.
PONCE, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 18: Relief aid was found it at a storage facility in Ponce. Apparently the aid was never distributed after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017.
GUANICA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 7: Damages on Guanica town after an earthquake on January 7th 2020.
GUANICA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 7: Damages on Guanica town after an earthquake on January 7th 2020.
GUANICA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 12: Residents sleeps and spend all the day outside their house due to the fear of the house collapse after 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit Guanica, Puerto Rico on January 7, 2020
GUANICA, PUERTO RICO - JANUARY 8: Americares response team visiting the affected by the earthquake.
Alejandro Granadillo
Alejandro is a documentary photographer and videographer based in San Juan, Puerto Rico.