Earthquake questions for TT

Do they know that the “fault line” between these two massive plates runs between Tobago, and Trinidad going west along the Northern Range, and clear through the top of Venezuela and Columbia?

Do they know that the last major earthquake in Trinidad was in 1766, 244 years ago with an intensity of 7.9 and that it destroyed the then capital of San Jose? Do they know that most of the flat land on the southern side of the Northern Range as well as at the base of the other ranges, are alluvial (soft) lands which contain extensive water aquifers? Do they know that an extended, strong earthquake could seriously soften or liquefy lands with high water content, leading to building sag, sink or collapse? Do they have any idea why the good people at the UWI Seismic Research Unit are so worried?

Do they know that they should calculate what their family would need to survive without food, water, fuel, electricity, money, communications, medicine etc, for three weeks or more? Do they know that they should reinforce a portion of their existing home, or build a secondary, secure earthquake shelter, stock it up and hope for the best? Do they know that they should go on the Internet and research and read and get scared?

Do they know that they should read and distribute printed copies of the “Earthquake Risk in Trinidad and Tobago.” document produced by NEMA and the Seismic Unit that is on the internet? Do they know that no government can help them in the first two or more days after the big one hits?

T Ramlochansingh

Champs Fleurs