Jamaica has experienced over 90 earthquakes so far this year, mostly concentrated in the eastern part of the island. However, only six of these quakes were actually felt by residents.
Kevin Tankoo, Head of the Earthquake Unit at the University of the West Indies (UWI), shared this information at the National Disaster Risk Management Council meeting held at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort in St Ann last week.
“As of this year, we’ve recorded around 91 local earthquakes, mainly in the eastern Jamaica Blue Mountain block; that’s the tectonic block that divides the country,” Tankoo explained.
“Out of these, only about six were felt,” he added.
On Wednesday, May 1, Jamaica experienced a 4.2 magnitude quake that affected areas including St Mary, St Thomas, Portland, Kingston, and St Andrew. The epicenter was located roughly five kilometers south of Hope Bay, Portland.
One of the most significant recent quakes was a 5.6 magnitude quake last October, which caused considerable alarm among residents.
“We recorded over 90 aftershocks following the 5.6 magnitude earthquake,” said Tankoo.
Additionally, Tankoo mentioned a new initiative by UWI’s earthquake unit called the Jamaica Citizens’ Seismic Network, aimed at monitoring seismic activities.
“So far, we’ve installed 10 sensors. This initiative helps bridge the gap between citizens and scientists, improving risk perception and other related aspects,” Tankoo noted.
The program has received support from several parish disaster coordinators.
Throughout the year 2023, Jamaica saw an unusual surge in seismic activity, with over 300 quakes being documented between January and November. There were 327 local earthquakes from January to November 2023.
Reports are of the total number of quakes recorded, and 12 of them were reported to the unit as felt.
The 5.6 earthquake magnitude earthquake was the most powerful, producing a maximum intensity of VI on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, categorizing it as a moderate earthquake.
Read more: Jamaica rattled by more than 300 earthquakes so far in 2023
