Trinidad and Tobago: A 4.9 magnitude earthquake was recorded in the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago at around 3:06 pm on Saturday. The University of West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre confirmed it while noting that tremors were felt in several parts of the nation.
The UWI Seismic Research Centre has confirmed that the earthquake was recorded 10 km deep at 11.27N Latitude and 61.50W Longitude in the earth’s crust and was recorded to be not more than 4.9 in magnitude on the Richter Scale.
The cities which felt the most tremors included Port of Spain, Arima, and Scarborough. The earthquake is noted to be of light frequency causing no physical damage to anyone across the island.
However, this has created concerns among residents to be cautious in future against the disaster. The twin-island nation is located in the Caribbean, which is the epicenter of Seismic and volcanic activities and faces a constant threat of it, further making resilience crucial for residents.
The Caribbean region is most susceptible to earthquakes because it sits at the intersection of the North American, South American, and Caribbean Tectonic plates. The convergent and divergent intersections between these plates result in frequent seismic activities.
The presence of several active volcanoes in the region further adds to a surge in seismic activities due to the movement of magma within the Earth’s crust.
It is to be noted that recently Antigua and Barbuda also suffered a series of seven earthquakes near its territories. The most significant earthquake recorded out of all was of 4.2 magnitude.
The UWI Seismic Research Centre stated that the earthquake started approximately 89 to 91 kilometers away from the island’s northeast coast.
The UWI is deeply investigating both incidents and continues to monitor further seismic activities to warn locals of any potential threat. Until then, it is advised to take necessary precautions if any natural calamity occurs.
During the time of earthquake, one should take precautions including covering the head while sitting on knees under a sturdy surface. If inside, one should not move out and stay there as there are major threats outside.
Residents should also avoid using doorways for protection and should stay away from windows, elevators or objects which could fall. If outdoors, it is advised to move to open spaces away from buildings, street lights or power lines.
While driving, experts suggest to pull over to a safer spot and avoiding climbing bridges and overpasses and remaining in vehicle until the disaster passes.
