Scientists are calling the quakes in Karonga — along the Great Rift Valley on the Tanzanian border — an “earthquake swarm” and are conducting geological assessments to ascertain if more are on the way.

The town of Karonga tells the story: collapsed houses, roofs fallen in and huge gashes in the road where the earth has split apart. Children are now taught under trees instead of in classrooms and most homes have a makeshift shelter of straw and plastic outside: the prolonged intensity of the quakes has made people afraid to stay indoors.

“The first one came at night on December 6, but we didn’t know what an earthquake was. Even our old women didn’t know; they have never experienced this before,” said Rachel Kasambala.

Earthquake ‘swarm’ shakes Malawi - Mail & Guardian Online

I spent the night in Karonga once in an odd truck-stop motel recommended by a fellow minibus passenger. I remember being excited that the local internet cafe was also a second hand bookstore.