As Jamaica marks the midpoint of the hurricane season, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Desmond McKenzie, is sounding an alarm about the potential threat of serious earthquakes.
With the island experiencing what he said were “577 felt earthquakes” since October of 2023, McKenzie is urging citizens to be vigilant and prepared for that type of tragedy.
The minister’s warning came on the heels of a 4.5 magnitude earthquake that was felt in sections of Portland, St Thomas, Kingston and St Andrew on Tuesday morning, and a 5.3 magnitude quake that was felt island-wide four days before.
According to McKenzie, Jamaica’s unique location on a fault line makes it particularly vulnerable to seismic activity.
The minister underscored the importance of self-preparedness, citing the country’s history of devastating natural disasters.
With the frequency of felt earthquakes in Jamaica, geologists have been warning that the country should brace for a major earthquake.
The last major earthquake that left a trail of devastation in Jamaica was the 1907 earthquake which destroyed sections of Kingston.
