Earthquake Update

Published 20th January, 4:44pm

The United States Geological Survey has reviewed the earthquake that occurred south of the Cayman Islands on January 19, 2009 and revised the magnitude upwards to a 5.9 magnitude event.

The Public Works Department is in the process of inspecting Government buildings for signs of damage and a preliminary report indicates that the damage is not severe. There have been no reports to HMCI of structural damage to buildings or other structures.

Typically in the aftermath of a ‘strong’ earthquake, it is recommended that people not go back inside buildings until they have been ‘cleared’ or ‘certified’ as safe by the facilities manager / structural engineer.

The earthquake that occurred on January 19th was not a ‘strong’ event; it was a ‘moderate’ earthquake of very short duration. At 10 am, the Director of Hazard Management determined that based on the magnitude and parameters of the event, the likelihood of structural failures to homes and offices was very small, also 35 minutes after the event the likelihood of a damaging aftershock was sufficiently low that the risks were effectively in the ‘normal’ or ‘near normal’ probability range. As a result at 10 am on January 19, 2009 the Director of Hazard Management Cayman Islands, Mr. McCleary Frederick stated that residents could return to offices and homes.

The Cayman Islands are located along an active fault zone and from time to time earthquakes occur. Unfortunately these occurrences cannot be predicted, but residents are encouraged to learn what to do before, during and after an earthquake and thereby reduce the risks associated with earthquakes.

For further information contact: Simon Boxall