KINGSTON, Jamaica — Earthquakes are among nature’s most unpredictable and potentially devastating phenomena, bringing with them a wide range of risks that can significantly impact vulnerable communities.

As such, it is very important for individuals to understand all potential hazards that are associated with the seismic activity.

Head and Research Fellow at the Earthquake Unit, Kevin Tankoo, tells JIS News that people must pay attention to the primary and secondary hazards of earthquakes.

He said if significant ground shaking occurs from an earthquake in an unpopulated area with no infrastructure, the economic loss and impact on livelihood or structures would be minimal.

However, if the same level of ground shaking occurs in towns and cities where populations and infrastructure intersect, the consequences can be severe.

“This ground shaking is what may result in building damage or some sort of compromised structure,” Tankoo said.

He further noted that broken pipelines, especially gas lines or electrical wiring, resulting from the shaking, can lead to a fire which is among the secondary hazards associated with earthquakes.

“Fires, of course, in 1907 were one of the major causes of deaths,” Tankoo said, while highlighting the importance of being prepared to shut off utility connections in the aftermath of an earthquake.

The 1907 earthquake is one of the most devastating earthquakes to have affected Jamaica. This magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the island on January 14, 1907, causing severe damage to Kingston.

There was severe infrastructural damage to roadways, pipelines, railways, electrical poles, homes, churches, business places and schools.

Other secondary hazards associated with earthquakes include liquefaction, landslides and tsunamis, particularly in coastal regions.

Tankoo explained that liquefaction, described as a “sort of quicksand”, occurs in areas with waterlogged soils or sands, while landslides can destabilise terrain, as seen historically with the collapse of Judgment Cliff in St Thomas.

Judgement Cliff, he explained, is possibly the result of a huge landslide triggered by the 1692 Port Royal earthquake.

In explaining the risks faced by coastal communities, Tankoo indicated that they are more prone to localised tsunamis or strong shaking due to their site condition.

“In this case, it’s not caused by the vertical displacement of the water from the earthquake due to our regional tectonics, but it’s caused by, more than likely, submarine landslides. And these are very difficult sections to be able to map effectively,” he explained.

This challenge, coupled with the limited response time, underscores the need for heightened awareness and preparedness in vulnerable areas.

Meanwhile, Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Richard Thompson, said that earthquake preparedness and awareness is very important, given Jamaica’s vulnerability.

“Globally, we have probably about 20,000 earthquakes per annum; that’s the felt earthquakes. We have roughly 50 to 80 earthquakes per day, our own numbers in Jamaica, significantly averaging approximately 200 earthquakes per annum,” said Thompson.

“[Our] vulnerability to earthquakes makes it a priority of the ODPEM and in general, the Government of Jamaica to ensure that we are putting in the necessary measures to prepare our population for any onset events,” he continued.

Thompson noted that over the years, January has been used to promote earthquake awareness because it commemorates the 1907 Great Kingston Earthquake.

“Given our vulnerability and the destructive nature of earthquakes and the fact that it is rapid onset, comes without warning, it is the thinking that constantly throughout the year you should have aspects of just reminding persons of our vulnerability,” he added.

He shared that during the month of January, several initiatives were organised to boost earthquake awareness, including discussion forums, simulation type activities and designated days for schools and businesses.

Thompson further informed that like any hazard, earthquake preparedness uses a dual approach, focusing on “soft” measures like public education and drills and “hard” measures such as strengthening infrastructure.

“One of the preparedness measures that we employ during the earthquake is the drop, cover, hold, which we preach a lot for persons to practice and for it to become nature, some persons say second nature,” Thompson emphasised.

As it relates to enhancing infrastructure, Thompson highlighted the continued modernisation of the country’s building codes.

“What we have done in the past and we continue to do is to ensure that we have modernised our building code systems. So, we have a Building Act… and the regulation component of that legislation is your building codes. And so, we have been doing continuous training as it relates to the building code,” the director general said.

To ensure structural resilience, Thompson advised homeowners and developers to follow the government-approved building process.

“Once you have that official building approval, you ensure that your builder is reputable, and you will build based on the design approval that have been given to you by the local authorities. A part of that is to ensure that we are having safe and secure construction so that you can withstand moderate earthquakes and in a major event you can, to some degree, withstand them as well,” he said.

— JIS