PRESS RELEASE - The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (SRC) in Trinidad has informed the National Emergency Management Organization of a burst of eight (8) earthquakes occurring on land in Saint Lucia, today, February 09, 2015 between 01:02:24 p.m. and 01:13:56 p.m.
The largest event, with a magnitude of 2.3 on the Richter scale occurred at approximately 13.834 north latitude, 61.60 west longitude at a depth of 16km.
NEMO has not yet received any reports of damage as a result of this event; however, the SRC will continue to monitor the situation and advice the Organization as the activity warrants.
Meanwhile, NEMO wishes to remind the public of some important measures which should be taken during an earthquake event.
1. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and stay indoors until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur.
2. Don’t wait until you’re certain an earthquake is actually occurring. At the first sign of the earth shaking, if you are in a building, stay inside and away from windows:
3. Drop, Cover, and Hold on.
DROP under a heavy desk or table; COVER your head and torso, and HOLD ON to the furniture. If you can’t get under something strong, go to an interior wall and sit with your bottom and feet flat on the floor and protect your head.
If you are outside, move to an open area away from potential falling objects (utility poles, electric lines, etc).Assume the crouch position and protect your head and face with your arms until the shaking stops.
For further information on what to do before, during and after an earthquake, please contact the NEMO Secretariat via telephone # (758) 452-3802/452-4318/468-2126 or email at admin@nemo.gov.lc