Earthquake

Published 19th January, 12:22pm

At 9.23 am local time on Tuesday January 19, 2010 an earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale occurred 32 miles south of Bodden Town, Grand Cayman at coordinates 19.021 N, 80 deg 50.77 min W. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 6.2 miles.

911 has received no reports of injuries or damage to structures.

No tsunami warning was issued from this event.

At 10 am, the Director of Hazard Management Cayman Islands, Mr. McCleary Frederick stated that residents can return to offices and homes.

"Obviously in light of what has happened in Haiti, our residents are very sensitive to this type of occurrence. We are fortunate that the Cayman Islands appears to have come through unscathed, but it is reminder for everyone that they need to know how to respond during an earthquake. In particular it is important to ‘duck under a strong piece of furniture, or at least protect the head with arms.’ If any business organisations, schools or other entities would like to have HMCI perform an earthquake education session or drill to better prepare for this type of impact then please contact Simon Boxall or Omar Afflick at HMCI (Telephone 526 2027)"

The Cayman Islands Government has commissioned a seismic monitoring network, consisting of 4 state of the art seismograph stations. Two seismographs will be located in Grand Cayman, one in Little Cayman and another on the Island of Cayman Brac. One of these seismographs in Frank Sound is already fully functional and the earthquake was detected locally and the information relayed through to HMCI as expected.

Earthquakes do occur from time to time in the vicinity of the Cayman Islands as we are located near to the boundary of the North American plate, with the Caribbean plate sliding past to the south.

In December 2004 a 6.8 magnitude earthquake occurred 20 miles to the south of Grand Cayman. Since the formation of HMCI in 2006 the agency has embarked on a proactive public education campaign to raise awareness of the earthquake threat in the Cayman Islands. Earthquake drills have been conducted involving both private and public sector entities and the program has also been instituted in Government schools.

For further information contact: Simon Boxall