The recent 5.3 magnitude earthquake in Jamaica, which occurred early yesterday, has sparked concern among local geologists, particularly Professor Simon Mitchell. This tremor, centered 6 kilometers northeast of Golden Spring in St. Andrew, highlights significant geological activity on the Wagwater fault—a major tectonic structure in the region. According to Mitchell, the Wagwater fault is a substantial fault system that hasn't seen significant movement for potentially hundreds of thousands of years.

Mitchell's concerns are compounded by a pattern he has observed over the past two years, where earthquakes appear to be progressively moving westward across Jamaica. This sequence of activity, beginning in St. Thomas and moving through Portland to St. Andrew, indicates a transfer of stress from east to west. Mitchell is particularly worried about the implications for the south coast fault system, which extends from southern St. Elizabeth to St. Thomas. He suggests that increasing stress on this fault could pose significant risks.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) reported that the earthquake struck at 8:01 a.m. with a depth of 27 kilometers. This depth is being scrutinized, as it could suggest adjustments at the base of Jamaica’s crust, which ranges from 25 to 30 kilometers deep.

This earthquake follows a similar-sized event from October of the previous year, which caused widespread disruption and highlighted the vulnerability of the island to seismic activity. The cumulative impact of these events underscores the importance of continued monitoring and preparedness for future seismic activity in Jamaica.

Photo caption: Professor Simon Mitchell

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