Thursday 2nd August 2012 – According to the
Puerto Rico Seismic Network an earthquake measuring a magnitude of 3.98Mb on the Richter scale was felt throughout the
Virgin Islands at approximately 1.42pm this afternoon. The report indicated that the epicenter was
located near 18.7N and 64.54 West or 10 miles NW of Virgin Gorda at a depth of 24 miles.
Preliminary reports, upon speaking with the
Puerto Rico Seismic Network, have not revealed any damage pertaining to the
earthquake or the need for a tsunami bulletin.
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.
Persons who felt the earthquake
can assist the DDM and the Puerto Rico Seismic Network in determining its
intensity by logging on to http://www.prsn.uprm.edu/English/php/CatalogS/Mseismicity.php
and completing a simple electronic form.
Persons can also contact the DDM at 468-4200 to report any damage
sustained by an earthquake’s impact.
