Map about the severity of the earthquake 2014 near Quito and a table informing about the general severity of earthquakes and their colouring on the map.
On August 12, 2014, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck the South American country of Ecuador 23 km (14 mi) northeast of the capital, Quito, at a depth of 7.7 km (4.8 mi).[1] The earthquake shook the city and surrounding areas, causing large dust clouds and prompting the temporary shutdown of the international airport.[2] The earthquake killed at least 4 people including two men who were buried by a landslide in a local quarry. It also injured at least 8 others.[3] Earthquakes are commonplace in Ecuador because of its position along the "Ring of Fire", an area of high seismic activity that encircles the Pacific Ocean.[4]