Jamaican seismic experts are actively combating the widespread misconception that atmospheric conditions influence earthquake occurrence as the nation concludes its January Earthquake Awareness Month. Karleen Black, Scientific Officer at Jamaica’s Earthquake Unit, presented definitive scientific clarification during a recent JIS Think Tank session, emphasizing that seismic events originate from profound geological processes deep within the Earth’s crust.
Black explained that the fundamental mechanisms driving earthquakes operate at depths ranging from 15 to 100 kilometers beneath the surface, far beyond the reach of meteorological conditions. “The weather at the surface is not going to affect them,” she stated authoritatively, dismissing the long-held myth connecting hot temperatures to seismic activity.
While acknowledging earthquakes as inherent natural phenomena, Black stressed that their devastating consequences can be substantially mitigated through comprehensive preparedness strategies. She highlighted the cascade of secondary hazards triggered by seismic events, including tsunamis, landslides, soil liquefaction, and fires, particularly emphasizing coastal tsunami preparedness for island residents.
The Earthquake Unit maintains ongoing collaborations with multiple stakeholders to enhance national resilience through targeted public education programs and disaster readiness initiatives. These efforts form part of Jamaica’s broader strategy to build societal resistance against geological threats in this seismically active Caribbean region.