BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AN earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter Scale rattled the Federation this morning (Mar. 19) and was followed just minutes after by a weaker tremor.
The event took place at about 7:26 a.m., the shaking from which caused some people to be awoken from their rest while some froze in shock and many others indicated that they were unaware of the shaking.
According to the UWI Seismic Research Centre, the first earthquake was located 18.04N, 60.73W or 237 kilometers to the northeast of St. Kitts and Nevis and 161 kilometers to the northeast of Antigua and Barbuda.
SKNVibes understands that the tremor, which lasted for several seconds, was also felt in Saba, St. Maarten, Martinique, St. Lucia and other Caribbean territories.
The second quake was registered at 7:34 a.m. at 17.81N and 60.83W or 219 kilometers to the east-northeast of St. Kitts and Nevis and 137 kilometers to the northeast of Antigua and Barbuda. It measured 3.9 on the Richter Scale.
Commenting on the stronger of the quakes, Director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Carl Herbert said he did not receive any reports of damage from the earthquakes.
He said this morning’s event serves as a reminder that earthquakes do not give prior warning, therefore there is need for individuals to be in a state of readiness in the event of a tsunami warning.
“We have not received any reports of damage. This event comes just one day after NEMA participated in and conducted a tsunami and earthquake exercise. It was really part of the Hemispheric Caribbean Exercise which is held annually.
“And the earthquake coming today is a reminder that we do live in a seismic-active region and that is why exercises like what we had yesterday are important. And again it brings to mind the fact that earthquakes do not give advanced notice and that is why it is important for us to continue with our public education campaign for both earthquakes and tsunamis, and again to encourage residents to be aware of what they should do in the event of a strong earthquake and also to be on in a continuous state of readiness and to listen to and read the local media for any information.”
