Coordinator of the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) Don Corriette is strongly advising preparedness in view of warnings that the Caribbean could experience an 8.0 earthquake.
“Scientists from the Seismic Research Center have been indicating that the Caribbean is due for a magnitude 8.0 earthquake and where it is going to take place no one knows,” Corriette told Dominica News Online.
“What we have under our control is our preparedness and, unlike hurricanes which we can forecast and predict and monitor and give tracks and models, we cannot do the same for earthquakes because they are spontaneous; they can just happen,” Corriette noted.
According to http://earthquaketrack.com/v/caribbean/recent, the Caribbean and Central America experienced 15 earthquakes that are 1.5 or greater. There were 88 earthquakes in the Caribbean over the past seven days, 505 in the past month and 3,164 in the past year. Dominica and other islands were recently shaken by a 4.9 earthquake.
Corriette said that in order to prepare, the country must examine its land use policy.
“We have to look at how we build, where we build, the type of structures we build. At a family level, [we have to look at] a family plan for earthquakes. Earthquakes are normally unpredictable and dynamic; you don’t know what is going to happen,” he said.
He however admitted that to prepare for an earthquake of that magnitude is not easy.
Meanwhile, Corriette said the frequency in earthquakes might be because of a combination of two factors: more active plates and more sensitive technology and equipment.
The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre states that most of the earthquakes occurring in the Eastern Caribbean are either tectonic or volcanic in origin. The Centre explains that tectonic earthquakes are generated when plates move as accumulated energy is released. Volcanic earthquakes are generated by the movement of magma within the lithosphere. Since magma is less dense than the surrounding rock, it rises to the surface, breaking the rock as it moves, thereby generating earthquakes. In fact, more than 75% of the world’s earthquakes occur at convergent plate boundaries, the Centre says. It added that the countries of the Eastern Caribbean are, therefore, highly susceptible to earthquakes.
“So as we improve on our monitoring systems, chances are we are catching more activity…the earth is dynamic, it is moving, the plates are moving and now and then they trip, they bounce together and they shake.”
Corriette revealed that 36 persons are undergoing Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training at the ODM’s location in Jimmit.
The CERT program is an all-risk, all-hazard training program designed to help individuals protect themselves, family, neighbours and neighbourhoods in emergency situations.
Earthquakes give no warning. No one can prepare for an earthquake.
As it is said, the earth is warming. There is a lot of build-up of heat and whatever else which could cause an earthquake.
There is a price to pay for progress, whether it is drilling. Consider today’s technology, as satellites installed on buildings. These also attract lightening.
I have seen a type of lightning with a crooked line in Ontario that I never saw in D/ca. I thought it is due to electricity.
Now electric wires are installed underground to avoid danger from rain, lightening, thunder storms and ice storms
This build-up in the atmosphere also descend under the earth which could cause an earthquake at anytime.
Humanity could improve and try all sorts of means but will never succeed; not where the weather and earthquakes are concerned.
Consider too, those who renounce God; who become ungodly; practicing Christians of all who know better but do not live up to the faith. God is angry.
End of times! We need to repent!
An economic quake would be pretty horrendous too…
Well as of now, ALL my savings will be done in off-shore banks, ALL my loans will remain in local banks and credit unions and I will make sure i have enough readily available cash and food and other resources to survive between a month – 10 weeks, which will be ample time for me to vacate this island.
Oh, and an available fire arm and plenty of ammunition!
God please forgive us our sins as we are human flesh and are not infallible. Please protect us oh Lord as Jesus we trust in you!! God we ask for your protection for Dominica, her people and for our Sister Islands in the Caribbean. We ask this in Jesus name.Amen.
Lord help us
Wednesday September 23rd 2015……. Keep in mind
A part of me HONESTLY wants it to happen. Dominicans are too damn complacent…always ignoring all warning signs because they think constantly repeating “God will save us” will do the trick. The people in the Philippines prayed too as did the people in Haiti. SMFH.
Mr. Corriette made a very very important point..“We have to look at how we build, where we build, the type of structures we build.”.. reminds me of the sentiments expressed by Mr. C. Shillingford. Investing huge amounts of millions into Roseau and its infrastructure (Stadium, State House, DSC, New PMH, Roseau Improvement Project, what did we miss) might turn out to be not so good an investment in the long-term. Diversification of even our MAJOR infrastructure has to be high on the agenda of any Govt. We all know of the aftermaths of Plymouth, Montserrat. The reality is we live on thee most ACTIVE volcanic island in the Caribbean and cyclical and biblical events such as major earthquake and volcanic eruption is indeed in the Father’s hand. So how does the Govt. developmental plans take into consideration the recommendations expressed by Don. Is it business as usual or with no foresight we tend not to discuss such relevant issues. Science says Roseau & environs are volcanic hot…
Don has been doing great work for decades now. I wonder if anyone is paying attention to these warnings. We have good capable people at home who are good at what they do. I would question how we disseminate information to the island. Training persons in disaster preparedness is commendable.
The use of technology allows us to send out warnings via text messages to our citizens. Warning sirens would be another great tool to help alert residents whenever an earthquake is about to strike.
We avoided the biggest disaster God is in control he is watching over us on December 18th 2014. God is watching over us,He will protect as He did then.Have faith my people.
Trust in God, but row for shore.
???????????????????/
smh….
The haitians made the same statements before the big earthquake which killed thousands !
That is somewhat naive thinking. Nothing wrong with having faith, but trusting that God will somehow take care of us or favor us above other areas or peoples in the world is religious arrogance. We are put on earth to watch and care for each other.
Watch your words. The Second Commandment of God is: “Thou Shalt Not Take The Name of The Lord Thy God in vain.”
You have committed a grievous/mortal sin and of blasphemy to God.
If you are a Christian and I expect you are, whether Catholic or other, you should know what Our Lord said about idle words – Every idle word that man shall speak, he shall render and account thereof when he/she dies and on Judgment Day.
You are not a smart person to make such a statement. You are condemning yourself and bringing down the wrath of God upon you of all.
Lord help us.
With all the malicious crime,corrupt governments we surely are.
Grell, give it a break you guys keep on crying like old dogs all day long, for ‘F’sake
Why should anyone who comment on this Website be allowed to continue to be disrespectful to the PM, lambaste him and debase him and his government? If I had a Website, your type of comments would never be allowed.
Be careful, Grell, I may open and operate a Website and your type of comments will never be allowed. Comment on something that others could learn from. No one can learn anything from your comments. You have no suggestions and concrete ones which could assist Dominica. You are only spewing hatred, division and lack of peace.
If you are a Christian, you will cease this debasement and judgment. It is people as you who cause disasters because you do not have a loving heart. Continue spewing hatred, judging and see what will happen to you. God is not amused. He is obviously not pleased.
I’m no expert on volcanos, but I’ve always questioned the drilling for natural gas in a volcanic area.Its like poking at a rubber tube full of air.Anything could happen.Nature should never be abused or disturbed.It will fight back.God help us.
I wonder how seriously the government (i.e., the politicians in the Cabinet) and people are taking this real and frightening threat? The scientists have been warning for several years now.