PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — THE Trinidad-based Seismic Research Centre (SRC) at the St Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) said the non-payment of contributions from several Caribbean governments is hampering its ability to effectively carry out its functions.

The SRC said it had received, for example, reports of earthquakes being felt in Dominica early last week, “but was unable to provide timely information on these events due to limitations in its seismic network in the island that have resulted from non-payment of contributions from several Caribbean countries”.

The SRC said that it conducts its routine functions through financial contributions from nine countries in the English-speaking Eastern Caribbean, but in the past decade, however, “Only three of these countries have made regular contributions with the others amassing considerable debt to the UWI spanning several years.

“The continued non-payment of annual contributions to the SRC by several island governments, including Dominica, has undermined the SRC’s capacity to maintain the regional monitoring network at ideal levels.

“Financial constraints have also impacted the SRC’s capability to locate small earthquakes, sometimes leading to delays in disseminating information to the public on these events,” the SRC said.

It said while it is actively pursuing external funding to support the enhancement of its operations, “In 2014, a proposal to access international funding to upgrade the monitoring network in Dominica was drafted through the government of Dominica. However, to date, the status of the proposal remains unclear”.

But the SRC said that in spite of this shortfall in funding, it endeavours to fulfil its mandate and maintains monitoring operations as near as possible to optimum, within the context of its existing constraints.

“However, given the heightened seismic activity globally and in the region, it is critical that monitoring agencies, such as the UWI Seismic Research Centre, are appropriately funded to be able to serve the people of our region at necessary and expected levels,” it said.

Last week the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) urged Dominicans to remain calm after the island recorded a number of earthquakes in the Soufriere area.

The SRC confirmed that seven earthquakes were recorded along the south-east coast between the period 5:49 and 11:28 pm (local time) last 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.