Predicting earthquakes
Trinidad and Tobago – The UWI Seismic Research Centre advises that it has not issued an earthquake prediction for Trinidad. Scientists are unable to predict the location, time and date of when an earthquake will occur.
The SRC uses scientific methods in the study of earthquakes. The Centre is not in a position to comment on other methods of earthquake prediction.
The pattern of seismicity seen in the last week has not changed. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that Trinidad is more likely to have an earthquake within the next 24 hours than at any other time. The Eastern Caribbean, including Trinidad & Tobago, is a seismically active area which will continue to have earthquakes of varying magnitudes.
The Seismic Research Centre continues to encourage the public to prepare for earthquakes by knowing what to do during an earthquake (drop, cover and hold under a strong table or desk) and by practicing this regularly through drills at home, school and work.
The UWI Seismic Research Centre was established in 1952, the Seismic Research Unit (SRU) is a Centre within the UWI and it operates the largest network of seismographs and other geophysical instruments in the Caribbean region. The SRU monitors earthquakes and volcanoes for most of the English-speaking Eastern Caribbean to include Montserrat, as well as it conducts education and outreach activities and it is involved in a regional effort to establish a tsunami warning system for the Caribbean.
