FIU experts available to discuss earthquake in the Caribbean

A 7.7 earthquake struck the Caribbean between Cuba and Jamaica this afternoon. Tremors were felt in parts of Downtown Miami and other areas in South Florida. 

FIU experts are available to discuss various issues surrounding the impact of this earthquake.

Members of the FIU Media Relations team are available to assist in contacting the experts:

• Maydel Santana, assistant vice president: 305-348-1555, santanam@fiu.edu  
• Madeline Baró, director of media relations: 305-310-9665,  mbaro@fiu.edu  
• Dianne Fernandez, broadcast media specialist: 305-608-4870, dfernand37@fiu.edu  
• JoAnn Adkins, director of communications, College of Arts, Science & Education, 305-348-0398, jadkins@fiu.edu   • Ayleen Barbel, account manager, College of Arts, Science & Education, 305-348-4492, abarbel@fiu.edu  
• Chrystian Tejedor, account manager, College of Arts, Science & Education, 305-348-2860, ctejedor@fiu.edu   
• Angela Nicoletti, account manager, College of Arts, Science & Education, 305-348-4493, anicolet@fiu.edu  
• Nathalie Medina, junior account manager, College of Arts, Science & Education, 305-348-7678, nmedina@fiu.edu  
• Diana Hernandez, senior account manager, College of Engineering & Computing,305-348-7511, dihernan@fiu.edu  

Grenville Draper
Earth Sciences Professor
Grenville Draper has studied the geology tectonics of several regions in the world for more than 30 years. He was intimately involved in the study and mapping of the fault that caused the earthquake in Haiti in 2010. Draper is Chair of the Standing Committee of the Caribbean Geological Conference series and is on the editorial boards of International Geology Review and Geologica Acta. Draper is available for Spanish-language interviews.
Draper@fiu.edu  
305-348-3087
View an interview of Grenville Draper discussing this event in English. View an interview in Spanish.

Shimon Wdowinski
Associate Professor, Department of Earth and Environment
Shimon Wdowinski is an expert in space geodesy, natural hazards and sea level rise. His research has focused on the development and usage of space geodetic techniques that can detect very precisely small movements of the Earth's surface. Wdowinski has successfully applied these techniques to study tectonic plate motion, earthquakes, land subsidence, sinkhole activities, wetland hydrology, climate change, and sea level rise. He is currently spearheading research supported by NASA examining whether powerful hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones can trigger earthquakes.
swdowins@fiu.edu 
305-348-6826 
View an interview of Shimon Wdowinski discussing this event in English.

Atorod Azizinamini 
Chair, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Atorod Azizinamini is an expert in bridge engineering and the field of accelerated bridge construction. In 1995, he was selected to be a member of a U.S. delegation to work cooperatively with Japanese researchers to develop technologies for the next generation of high-rise buildings in seismic regions. Azizinamini can speak to the rebuilding of infrastructure in the aftermath of an earthquake. 
aazizina@fiu.edu 
402-770-6210