Dominica’s capital, Roseau, along with the entire southern part of the island is said to be extremely vulnerable to volcanic eruptions and a Research Fellow Vulcanologist is calling for the necessary infrastructure to be put in place in case such events occur.
Dr. Patricia Joseph was addressing a stakeholder’s workshop at the Public Service Training center on Monday.
She said all of Dominica’s volcanoes, except Diablotin and Morne Aux Diables, are located within 10 kilometers of Roseau.
“Which means that Roseau is extremely vulnerable to future volcanic activities, and this is where having infrastructure distributed throughout an island comes in handy because it means if something happens in Roseau, Portsmouth becomes a viable relocation for the capital city,” she stated.
She pointed out that based on historic studies of volcanic activity in Dominica, the ‘volcanic earthquake swamp’ is showing that magma “is moving beneath the surface and therefore the movement of shallow earthquakes provide an idea as to where the eruption can occur”.
Joseph said the next volcanic eruption is likely to occur in the south of the island.
“The next magmatic eruption is likely to be in the La Falaise/Canot area of the Plat Pays volcanic center (located from Scotts head to Bellevue Chopin stretching to Grand bay),” she explained. “Now this is not to say that that is the only possibility, remember that in the south of Dominica there are four other centers within close proximity and these are the Morne Anglais volcano, Micotrin and the Valley of Desolation/ Morne Watt area.”
Joseph explained that Dominica is very unique in the lesser Antilles volcanic arc in that it is the island that has more than one potentially live volcano.
Every other island from Saba all the way down to Grenada has one live volcanic center but Dominica has nine volcanic centers, distributed between the north and the south of the island, she pointed out.
According to the website of the Office of Disaster Management, the southern part of Dominica is known to have experienced at least nine intense swarms of volcanic earthquakes over the last 100 years. “The most recent major earthquake swarm occurred between 1998 and early 2000, and was associated with the Plat Pays and Anglais volcanic centers. This was the most intense swarm ever and many earthquakes were felt,” the site said.
The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) has partnered with the regional stakeholders in the seismic research center (located in Trinidad and Tobago) in the University of the West Indies to host Earth science week 2013 in Dominica and the workshop was part of the agenda.
Is It a Coincidence or by Fate?
Political Eruption! 40 years* to the month after the horrible victimization, unrest, destruction, and injustices done overnight by a politically driven group to motivate the masses to attack certain dominicians in the capital, Roseau and the valley (Trafalgar). Suddenly there is an “unrest” and sudden bursts of seismic activity in the area in 2019.
Sometimes, everything seems to synchronize inexplicably, so that two seemingly unrelated situations match up. As a result, people have always associated these chance occurrences with a higher power, making us wonder if they are coincidence or fate or synchronicity.
Intensification overnight! Says Mr. Fitzroy Pascal! Is our forgotten and grievous actions of the past something that can explain it, or is fate simply chaotic and indecipherable? Hmmph!
Vocanic activity from 1900 till date
Look a hard slap to blackmore
#1 in geothermal my foot.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm! This is quite worrying information and should raise alarm bells in relation to the drilling and other geo-thermal activity taking place in the Laudat area. It is my feeling that this ‘expert’ should explain to us the implications of this information on the works being done and how this drilling activity may or may not affect further volcanic activity and possibly result in an increase in the volcanic activity. Her opinion on such a matter would be invaluable…….Please lady, give us your opinion on this matter!!
Well she explained this morning that their organization was not part of the consultation on this matter and probably another similar organization may have been employed in this regard. However, when asked for her opinion on geothermal activities generally I got the sense that yes, geothermal explorations could increase risk of earth movement. She indicated that careful monitoring of the sites needs to be done.
Maybe I’m a conspiracy theorist eh but I just think that this is something we’ve known for years. Why all of a sudden these people from Trinidad are here to inflict fear in the people? Is it because of the growing regional interest in Dominica’s geothermal potential? Is Trinidad trying to sabotage us so that we can’t compete with them as a regional energy producer? I just wonder…and people it’s not far fetched because the French agency EDF was also considering a project building underwater gas pipelines from Trinidad to provide electricity to the two french island’s. However, Guadeloupe and Martinique were adamant about wanting renewable energy instead…Let’s wait and see this what is really going on.
The panel said that Earth Science week is an annual event and it was Dominica’s turn to host so it is coincidental that this is happening in the middle of the geothermal fiasco and so called controversies- so what they should have done was to postpone Dominica’s turn to host because according to you there would be speculation that it may infere with the geothermal project? what nonsense-
Trinidad has its own problems as also volcanic action. Trinidad has an area called “The Devil’s Wood Yard” which spews “greymud” from underground. I witnessed it when I once visited Trinidad. The entire area has patches of it which bubble. We were standing near one and we had to move away.
God is in control!
I was told that there were also rumblings in that area. If I recall, I was told there was a time some people who reside nearby had to evacuate the area. I do not know what it is like today.
Then there is the Pitch Lake which we visited. I took a piece of the pitch with me as a memento.
We do know all the islands have some form of volcanic action.
There is a price to pay for progress. Nowhere in the world is safe. As the saying, “Don’t worry. Be happy.”
There is a saying, “Today is the tomorrow that I was worrying about yesterday.”
Who said Dominica is a boring place? We will definitely rock and “feel the earth move”. Take precautionss and pray.
Maybe that is a subtle message from Govt. to tell us they are on shaky grounds and planning to move closer to the clan’s home base and centre of investments, Portsmouth?
Recall some years ago the hot water lake dried up and rumblings were heard in also Roseau. I wondered what was occurring underneath the lake.
At another time there was the smell of sulphur throughout Roseau and in villages.
Remember a few years ago when there were clouds of ashes and some people in Dominica wore masks? It also affected other countries and planes were grounded for a while.
Yes! Wherever we reside, we must be prepared and at the same time hope for the best. Fervent prayers to the Divine Mercy, Our Lord Jesus Christ will greatly assist.
We safe man. I’m sure we will have enuff warning. We always grew up knowing that our island is extremely volcanic. Highest in the caribbean but it doesn’t hinder our everyday decisions. I will still build right in soufriere. Lennox Honeychurcj should give a lil history leson on past volcanic activity on the island.
This Savarin-Skerrite Free-lab party, aka the DLP is very much aware of this fact. Just check their 2009 PSIP (public sector investment programme) report under the heading disaster management. It is stated therein that govt. is aware of the threat of volcanic eruption in such areas including the Roseau valley, and the need to put in place plans for the evacuation of people in these areas as a result.
Yet these desperate men are heading nonstop with this geothermal programme when there are affordable and viable renewable energy alternatives to meet our national development needs.
How instructive, for while one arm of government and the Cabinet consider their geothermal energy initiative to be unstopable and the only economic savior for DA, another important arm, disaster preparedness is advising caution, hence the need for reconsideration of this madness.
Dominicans home and abroad do you now fully understand why this administration must go?
Change cannot be an option but a must if we are to survive as a viable nation.
“Which means that Roseau is extremely vulnerable to future volcanic activities, and this is where having infrastructure distributed throughout an island comes in handy because it means if something happens in Roseau, Portsmouth becomes a viable relocation for the capital city,” she stated.
I am tired of reading this.. this has been said for years and years, and still nothing. so maybe when something really happens, they will start to look at Marigot, Castle Bruce and maybe Portsmouth. Portsmouth is susceptible to volcanic activities as well.
Nine volcanic centers??? And others just have one each?? Ah bon diay we have maleh in that Dominica there wii. smh
This is all very sobering but not news especially as someone residing in the possible disaster area. In 1998 we were traumatized by these swarms of earthquake and many who did not feel them felt that we were exaggerating until some of the quakes literally ROCKED the capital. I only pray in this eventuality that we get warning.
Very good advice. Hope the Gov can put contingency plan in place for the police fire and ministry if that need arrives. Hopefully ut does not have to be used but better be prep
All they know is to put SSU on the roof top for the Ayatola.
my pm this is one more reason why the new hospital should be built in warner we need to decentralize our major essential services such as these
I wonder what is worse, climbing that steep, scary slope to Warner with an ill person in an ambulance or risking a tremor on the flat in Roseau.
allu know dat but yet allu still digging talkin bout geothermal energy my foot
Negbawi ha ha ha ha
Gee, why didn’t you all come out about 1 year ago to say that. I do hope you all are talking to the government about that and the geothermal drilling thing which can trigger that as well.
keep digging labour you are all red and ready, too late shall be your smile
Nothing said or discussed here is news to many of us Dominicans; this has been common knowledge for a very long time, peasants and pundits have known this for more than a hundred years, we also know of the floods, which hits Roseau every hundred years or so, killing people, while destroying everything in it path.
A few years ago while work was conducted in a certain a area of Roseau, humans remains were found, they turned out to be the exoskeletons of people who were killed by the flood of more than a hundred years ago.
As a matter of fact my late grandmother witness that flood, to the day she expired she feared spending a night in Roseau, she told me about that flood when I was a child. And by the way before anybody laugh at me, she was born on the 1st day of January, 1890, and expired in 1993, so before one laugh calculate it you will find the occurred somewhere between 1890, and the early 1900’s.
The problem in Dominica, is the more aware we are of the inevitable, it is the less likely we are to implement measures which may avoid the pending inevitable; the belief is “it will not happen to us.” Plymouth Montserrat should serve as an example, for just in a few hours Plymouth Montserrat ceased to exist, as a result of an eruption of a volcano which appeared dormant for hundreds of years.
In my opinion, it is not if it is going to happen at some point and time in Dominica; it is how soon it will happen! Though the focus is on Portsmouth, I think it would be foolish for our people not to consider the development of a new city somewhere on the North Eastern part of the island.
Now that there is a plan to declare war on the pit-holes (out-door) toilets, perhaps the thought that the geographic change expected from such an event should cause the powers that be to focus on the North Eastern coast of the island to commenced building a new city with a modern sewer system in place.
And it does not take much to accomplish that, we can refer to Brades Montserrat as an example, it did not take forever to build that new city.
The fact that Dominica has the most active volcano’s in the world should be a concern to the nation in general!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
People get your passports ready at all times. Make sure all you important documents are together and safe. Your credit and debit cards Pack a bag at all times like is hospital you going for you and your family. I not missing no trip to England like those Monstratians. I ready!
LOL. i like your comment. great sense of humor. LOL.
Dominica is no longer a sovereign country. Will England be willing to accept Dominicans or invite them and welcome them even under such a circumstance?
Nine volcanoes!!! more tourism
the island needs helicopters and pilots with emergency training and a more expansive emergency services that incorporates all the parishes and utilized those existing on neighboring Islands. The Canefeild Airport should also function as a stage-point and training area for such emergencies. In the meantime lets capitalize on volcanic tourism. As long as we don’t have to depend on LIAT for emergency services we’ll be alright!
ALARMIST!
I see from the comments that people in Dominica do not understand simple things:
– most likely Dominica doesn’t have any normal and well funded program how to cope with volcano eruption
– most likely volcano eruption is connected with earthquake
Now take a look on Roseau: one major earthquake and this place becomes one big graveyard. Most likely you don’t see why Haiti earthquake brought so many casualties: buildings were built badly…same as Roseau. Electric wires all across the streets etc
All in all, if some earthquake and volcano strike this island is not prepared for that. Dominica hardly cope during normal times – during disaster it will be complete and perfect Armageddon with fully disintegrated policy, non-existent rescue services, massive casualties…
So instead of making sarcastic comments ask yourself what you personally are going to do and how it will affect your family, your community…?
A sombre warning. One policy implication, which the expert has stated:dentralized infrastructure and servcies.
Lord, you are the creator of this world. Please protect my homeland and protect your people. So let it be!
Really? Why just god put an end to all disasters?
No can do. It’s part of life. And it serves a purp9se…example volcanic eruptions brings fertile soil and new land.
This is all very sobering but not news especially as someone residing in the possible disaster area. In 1998 we were traumatized by these swarms of earthquake and many who did not feel them felt that we were exaggerating until some of the quakes literally ROCKED the capital. I only pray in this eventuality that we get warning.
We must look at it this way. He probably will when everyone recognizes him as Creator and Ruler of the world and give him his dues as worshipping him, genuinely love one another, perform acts of generosity and cease all immoralities which highly offend him.
This is one way of doing that because He loves us all. He also wants repentance that we might be worthy of obtaining eternal salvation.
You know what is occurring in the world, increased godlessness and immorality and more… Know that God is provoked and angry at all this. Therefore, do not expect him to appease disobedient and stubborn human beings to put an end to all disasters. Furthermore, out of every bad occurrence comes some good.
When disasters strike, many turn to him in worship and prayer. If you recall 9/11, after this occurred, churches throughout the world were jam-packed on the following Sunday. As to whether everyone in other parts of the world kept it up, only God knows.
It appears he has to wake up some people in order to get their attention.
wow brilliant and u figured that out all by yourself what happen u want a medal or something thanks for telling us something that we already know almost every Caribbean country capital is located within earshot of a volcano what happen u want us to move Roseau to the middle of the ocean man? or u forget that Dominica is a damn volcanic island and no where on the island is volcano free?
Such a ridiculous comment! You knew all that genius? We all not brilliant like you.
so y all the ignorance??? smdh
Another reason to put the geothermal project on hold.
Decentralisation of services is a must not an option, Volcanoes or not.This is not any new info we canot have our eggs in one basket. Espicialy our Health and Educational facilities.
And we are ranking number one in Geothermal spite of this probable activity? You all go and shake up Roseau with all that drilling and see what can probably be set off There is more to lose than to gain, Dominica has active volcanoes.
Dr. Joseph, I understand that there is another volcanic earthquake swamp in Dominica called Skarewrit.
I flat.lolololol
I heard it through the grapevine. All we have to exclaim with a big roar: Go To Hell and it will be unwritten, and it will be undone. The State Place and the Villas will be immune to such activities. But the people can perish….If Dominica could talk, what would she say!
lol this one has me cracking up hahahahaha
Dr. Patricia Joseph what about mineral deposits? If we have nine volcanoes wouldn’t we have mineral deposits like Gold, copper, silver or diamonds, inquiring minds want to know!
No.. dominica is too young for that diamonds do not come from volcanoes
actually they can, but a volcano does not form a diamond, a volcano can bring it up from the earth to clarify
This reminds me some years ago in Dominica there was a volcanic eruption in Soufriere
It was still simmering or someone had lit a fire above.
Below it (further down), there was a pool with stones. Some of us bathed in the water. It was the best warm water I have ever bathed in, in Dominica. I did not want to get out of the water.
I understood that it is therapeutic, that some people would bathe in it for that purpose. The stones had a brownish gold color. There was mineral in the water and/or on the stones. Healthy water to bathe in.
Lord guide and protect us all
I wonder how much they pay that lady for that consultation?
right behind pointe michel the volcano be qui
God is a good God and this watching over this nation. We are blessed indeed
Woman you maybe speaking the truth with facts,but that not what these guys want to hear now.you better prepare for justic and truth,on point,gary and the biting crew to jump on you.They will say
youtrying to sabotage their geothermal project you know.Anyway very informative,i did learn that in geography long time ago in SMA.
Who are you anyway? What makes you think that it is not what they want to hear?
Are you a mind reader and from afar? You are speaking for others. This is a grave mistake on your part.
Why would you make such a statement? This is not nice and is silly of you. Another senseless comment which DNO should not have allowed.
Can you read our minds? Note how people as you come to wrong conclusions with your type of warped mind, one which always thinks the worst, criticizes others and for doing good and tries to bring people down.
This time you are darn wrong, at least where I am concerned! This is another reason why you misinterpret what others state. This is all you do on DNO, scrutinizing the comments of others. Low mind.
Write something sensible that others could learn from.
I am speaking for myself. Why would your mind think of something as that? Does this article call for criticism? Even so, it is the prerogative of those who comment to criticize or not. It is none of your business. It is a type as you who start an argument and a war.
If you were intelligent and possess basic common sense, knowledge and sensitivity to the feelings of others, you would know that different articles call for certain responses and merit them accordingly.
You are pre-judging people whom you do not know. This is what it means to underestimate them and their intelligence and make rash statements and judgments about them which are not true and far from their qualities, personality and characteristic traits. It is like insulting them.
Choose someone else to direct such a statement at and ensure that you are correct about them.
I rebuke this volcanic talk in the name of Jesus
As long as the world continues and we are residing in the world, we should expect disasters to occur. We know they could occur with no warning.
St. Paul reminded us about that. We simply have to pray to God for protection. Not only praying but love God and one another as we love ourselves. Too many pray but do not practice the First and Second Commandment which also comprises of all the Ten Commandments.
If we expect God to answer our prayers, we must be obedient to them as the Two which Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “The Second is like it, The First.” One does not go without the other.
What should we(the people) do in terms of disaster planning ?
Dominicien tell us how to prepare? we experiencing hurricane season for six months every year for over 1000 years and we still not hearing to be prepared doh matter what and how disaster management tell us – is volcano that happening every 500 years we will prepare for –
Fool yourself still until it happen we will not take heed,our head just so hard..
This reminds me what some US people asked after 9/11, “Which is the best (safest) State to reside?”
A Priest on EWTN – Television, spoke about it during his Homily and said: “The best ‘state’ to be in, is a ‘state of grace.'”
He reminded us what state of grace we should be in. When it came to his Homilies which I loved to hear (I taped some) :), he was a no-nonsense priest who told it like it is, one of the traditional Catholic priests.
Eh ben, nous pwi !!!