UWI seismologists: Prepare for quakes

The University of the West Indies’ chief seismologist on Tuesday urged ongoing preparedness for multiple natural hazards across the Caribbean after major earthquakes in Panama and Venezuela.

Disaster planning must remain a national priority, said Dr Erouscilla Joseph, director of the Trinidad-based Seismic Research Centre (UWI SRC), who noted that recent tectonic movements have renewed discussions about community readiness, emergency response coordination and the resilience of infrastructure across the wider Caribbean.

In an interview with Barbados TODAY on the broader implications of regional seismic events, she said that while large earthquakes occur along distinct tectonic boundaries, the geological processes involved are a reminder of the region’s vulnerability.