T&T Seismic Research Centre- Be Earthquake ready

By Caribbean Medical News Staff
Five years after on the anniversary of the colossal 7.0 magnitude earthquake that tore the lands in Haiti causing the deaths of some 300,000 men, women and children, the Seismic Research Centre (SRC) of the University of the West Indies in Trinidad has issued a strong warning to the Caribbean to hastily prepare for the advent of a hulking earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0 or mightier based on scientific research.
“The earthquake in Haiti should have been the wakeup call for a fundamental shift in regional mechanisms for coping with seismic hazards. We must develop, legislate and enforce Building Codes using up-to-date seismic hazard maps based on the latest available science. Preparedness measures at the individual levels are insufficient and greater efforts are needed to facilitate self-resilience,” lamented a spokesperson of SRC.
Citing other countries around the world they spoke about the high level of preparation and fortitude put in place by these regions to combat natural disasters.
According to research the Caribbean can expect an earthquake of magnitude 6.0 or greater ever 3-5 years. The SRC stated that the region has fallen short when compared to other countries of mimicking the efforts of disaster preparedness and the Caribbean remains in an extremely vulnerable state in the event of seismic activity. According to DFATD (department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development) Canada, the region is 12 times more prone to hurricanes and seismic activity than anywhere else in the world.
“Of more concern, we are long overdue for a magnitude 8.0 earthquake, which has 32 times more energy than the Haiti event. In light of these sobering facts, it is imperative for the region to move expeditiously towards building resilience to such events,” according to the SRC.