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Office of Diaster Managment monitoring seismic activities in North of island
The office of disaster management (ODM) would like to confirm that earthquakes felt in the north of the island over the weekend are associated with swarm of earthquakes which have been occurring in the north of Dominica from may last year ..
The ODM would like to inform the general public particularly residence in the north of the island, that the office continues to work closely with local partners and the seismic research centre (SRC) to monitor the events.
In may of last year the ODM and local government held a series of meeting with community disaster committees to assist in organizing these groups. This exercise is expected to continue in the upcoming months.
The ODM did field work in July and September to verify ph and water temperature levels.
In July of last year a team of scientist from Portsmouth university in the UK along with geologist Ms. Thessa Deroche attached to ODM conducted surveys on various ridges on Mourne Aux Diables.
In October of 2009 dr. Richie Robertson, director of the SRC visited Dominica with a view to deal with the current state of seismic monitoring on the island. As a result of this visit and discussions held with the ODM, permanent secretary and minister a number of new stations were installed in the north of Dominica in November.
These new digital monitoring stations will increase the amount of data being received and will help scientist to better calculate the nature and source of the earthquakes. This exercise was ably assisted by Mr. Wayne Abraham of Portsmouth, lime Dominica and the ODM team.
In December 2009 scientist of the SRC conducted field work in the north of the island to include (water samples, water temperature, gas samples, GPS monitoring etc). It is expected that the team will return to Dominica this month (January) to continue their work..
The ODM will continue its education programme with the release of audio and visual material dealing with seismic activity. The office of disaster management along with the ministry of education have started education programme with schools this week.
ODM is working closely with local government to host a series of town hall meetings in the affected areas i.e the north beginning next week using local and regional experts.
We would like to inform the general public that the department is doing all that is necessary to obtain relevant information and to keep the public informed.
