22nd January, 2010 – An earthquake measuring a magnitude of 3.58 on the Richter scale was felt throughout the Virgin Islands at approximately 10:50 am on Saturday, 22nd January. The report indicated that the epicenter was located near 18.86 north latitude and -64.56 west longitude, or 26.8 KM Northwest of Anegada at a depth of 8.79 kilometers. The region of this earthquake was in the Virgin Islands Platform.
The DDM takes this time to remind the BVI community that we live in a seismically active zone, which makes the Territory vulnerable to earthquakes. During an earthquake it is important to stay calm, if you are inside stay there, move away from ceiling fans, glass windows and doors or anything that may fall. Get under a desk or sturdy piece of furniture cover your head and hold on. If outdoors, move into an open area away from trees, building, or utility wires and poles. During an earthquake the more you move the more likely you are to be hurt, so refrain from entering or exiting a building at the time of the impact.
