414 earthquakes recorded in Jamaica in 2022; only eight were felt – ESSJ
KINGSTON, JAMAICA— A total of 414 earthquakes were recorded in Jamaica last year according to the 2022 edition of the Economic and Social Survey Jamaica (ESSJ), which was made public on Tuesday.
According to the survey, the seismic events recorded in Jamaica last year were 44 fewer than in 2021.
The survey shows that local events, or those that occurred on land and in close offshore areas, increased by 13.0 per cent to 173.
January had the highest number of seismic activities of any month with 26.
Local events accounted for approximately 42.0 per cent of all events for the year, while almost 30.0 per cent (122) were near. Near events are detected within 14° – 22° North and 72° – 82° West.
“All but one of the eight felt events occurred on the mainland, with magnitudes between 2.9 and 4.1,” said the ESSJ.
It said the Blue Mountain Block remained the most active with over 27.0 per cent of local events occurring in that area. There were 68 regional events and 13 events due to blasting.