With so many unplanned settlements in Jamaica including squatting and the building of homes alongside gully banks due mainly to the lack of affordable housing, Jamaica and Jamaicans are at an increased risk in the event of a major earthquake.
Unlike hurricanes, which most of the population have some experience with the majority of the Jamaican population has no such memory and or experience and this will undoubtedly create panic and hysteria in the event of a major earthquake. We need to know for example where are the gathering areas in Kingston in the event of a major earthquake.
Disturbingly, many of our schools are at particular risks since, in many instances, earthquake drills are not done or not done on a frequent basis to prepare students for what they should expect and what they should do in the event of a major earthquake.
Jamaica is surrounded by a number of geological faults. In Eastern Jamaica there is the Plantain Garden fault that runs into the Yallahs, Blue Mountain, Wagwater and Silver Hill faults which together control the tectonics of the Blue Mountains block.
Jamaica is influenced by the South Coast, Spur Tree and Montpelier and Newmarket faults in Western Jamaica. Clearly, now is the time to revisit our earthquake preparedness plans.
It is not a matter of if we will get a major earthquake it’s a matter of when. As a result we now need to learn from the lessons from those who have experienced such destructive and devastating tragedies.