ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) – The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) Wednesday urged Dominicans to remain calm after the island recorded a number of earthquakes in the Soufriere area, south east of here on Tuesday night.

The Seismic Research Centre (SRC) at the Trinidad-based St Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) confirmed that seven earthquakes were recorded along the south east coast between the period 5.49 and 11.28 pm (local time) on Tuesday night.

The SRC said that the largest quake was located at 15.25°N and 61.27°W with a magnitude of 3.1 and depth of 20km.

ODM programme officer Steve Joseph, speaking on the state-owned DBS radio, said the office had received reports of up to 13 tremors and that the activities appear to be magma related.

“We have been in contact with the Seismic Research Centre…in conversation over what really may be the possible source.

“Our initial observation is that it may involve  be volcanic, as since tectonic would mean the whole country would have felt it, although there is a report suggesting that some people in Savanne Paille (north west of here) felt something…but that looks unrelated to what occurred in the south.”

Joseph said that the SRC had indicated there will be ongoing monitori8ng of the situation and that a team from the centre could be deployed to Dominica soon.

He said while the necessary precaution should be taken “there is no need for panic.

“Of course people will have to be a little bit more vigilant, it is enough cause for people to begin to ensure that anything than can fall and could hurt anybody is secured because tremors can displace things that are not well bolted.

“But it is not at a point where people should have any cause for panic, so we are encouraging people to remain calm,” he added.