Dear Editor,

When the ground trembles in Jamaica, a familiar mix of fear, curiosity, and speculation follows. Yet behind every earthquake is not mystery, but science — science that many Jamaican students encounter early in their schooling through geography.

For me, as a geography specialist and former high school teacher, earthquakes have always been one of my favourite topics to teach, because they sit at the powerful intersection of physical science, human safety, and national development. Understanding earthquakes is not about memorising facts. It is about understanding how the Earth works — and how we live upon it.

The Earth’s crust is not one solid piece. It is broken into massive slabs called tectonic plates that float on semi-molten rock beneath. These plates are constantly moving, even though we cannot feel it. Sometimes they slide past each other smoothly. At other times, they become locked together. Pressure builds. Rock bends. Eventually, the stress becomes too great and the plates suddenly snap or shift. That sudden release of energy sends shock waves through the ground. That is an earthquake.

In Jamaica’s case, the island sits near the boundary between the Caribbean Plate and the North American Plate. This makes us part of an active seismic zone, meaning that earthquakes are not rare accidents but part of our geological setting.

Earthquakes can also be triggered by other forces. Volcanic activity can shake the ground. Landslides can cause local tremors. Even large underground collapses or human activities such as mining and reservoir filling can produce small quakes. But the vast majority of destructive earthquakes come from plate movement.

One of the most important lessons students learn in geography is that earthquakes differ in both cause and impact. Tectonic earthquakes are the most common and the most dangerous. These occur when plates suddenly slip along faults, such as the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden Fault that runs near southern Jamaica. Volcanic earthquakes are linked to magma movement beneath volcanoes. While Jamaica does not have active volcanoes, our Caribbean neighbours do.

Collapse earthquakes happen when underground caves or mines cave in. These are usually small but can damage buildings nearby. Induced earthquakes result from human activity, such as large dams or deep drilling. They remind us that human development can sometimes disturb natural systems. This classification is not just academic, it helps scientists assess risk and helps governments decide where stronger building codes are needed.

Geography has long held a special place in Jamaican education. From primary school social studies through to Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) students are taught about plate tectonics, fault lines, and earthquakes. Many Jamaicans can still recall drawing diagrams of plates, shading zones of seismic activity, and learning why Kingston, Port Royal, and the southern coast are particularly vulnerable.

As a teacher, this was always one of my favourite units. Students were fascinated by the idea that the ground beneath their feet was moving, slowly but powerfully. They asked sharp questions. They made connections between science and their own lives. They realised that geography was not just about maps — it was about survival. Now, as a university Dean, I see how that early exposure continues to shape students’ understanding of risk, environment, and national development.

Earthquakes will always be part of Jamaica’s reality, but ignorance does not have to be. The more we understand what causes earthquakes and the different types that exist, the better prepared we are — not just to react, but to plan, build, and live wisely.

In that sense, every geography lesson in which a Jamaican child learns about earthquakes is not just a school topic, it is a quiet form of disaster preparedness — one that can one day save lives.

Leroy Fearon Jr

Justice of the Peace

leroyfearon85@gmail.com