The Dominican Republic sits on a geologically active landscape crisscrossed by more than a dozen tectonic faults, with two major fault systems carrying the highest risk for destructive seismic activity: the Septentrional Fault running across the nation’s northern region and the Enriquillo Fault stretching through the southern half of the country.
To address the persistent natural risk posed by this geological setting, the Foundation for Development and International Cooperation (FUDEC) has organized a community-focused public discussion centered on seismic alert protocols and earthquake preparedness. The core goal of the gathering is to equip ordinary Dominican citizens with clear, actionable guidance to build emergency readiness ahead of any potential seismic event.
The discussion brought together two leading experts in geoscience and seismic risk management to share their knowledge with attendees. Participants heard from Susana Hernández Peña, a prominent geographer and seismic researcher, alongside Leonardo Reyes Madera, a civil engineer who serves as the general director of the National Office of Seismic Evaluation and Vulnerability of Infrastructure and Buildings (ONESVIE). The event was moderated by José Luis Morillo Frías, the president of FUDEC, who used his opening remarks to outline the nonprofit’s long-standing dedication to expanding accessible civic education across the Dominican Republic on issues of public safety.
Throughout the conversation, the two expert speakers reached a shared consensus that seismic activity is not an uncommon, unpredictable anomaly in the Dominican Republic, but rather a regular natural feature of the nation’s geography. Given this unavoidable reality, they emphasized that communities must adapt by learning how to live safely alongside seismic risk. The pair also stressed that the Dominican Republic currently has gaps in nationwide public earthquake education that must be addressed urgently, to ensure that all citizens understand the correct protocols to protect themselves when a seismic event occurs.