Earthquakes on St. Maarten
Did you experience an earthquake on St. Maarten today? That is possible, as earthquakes occur regularly in the region, but there is usually no reason for panic.
St. Maarten lies in the northeastern Caribbean, near the boundary between the Caribbean Plate and the North American Plate. The wider Lesser Antilles region is tectonically active because the North American Plate is being pushed beneath the Caribbean Plate in the subduction zone east of the islands.
St. Maarten is located at a greater distance from this active plate boundary compared with several Caribbean islands further south and southeast. The closest volcanoes to St. Maarten, The Quill on Statia and Mount Scenery on Saba, have been dormant for approximately 1700 and 5000 years respectively.
Example: 1974
Although smaller earthquakes can be felt every year, occasionally a larger one affects the island. On October 8, 1974, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 (with some estimates placing the source magnitude higher) occurred approximately 144 km southeast of St. Maarten. The shaking lasted about a minute.
Although it was a frightening experience for those involved, damage was mostly limited to building interiors. Glassware and goods fell from shelves in stores and homes. No serious injuries or casualties were recorded.
Advice on St. Maarten Earthquakes
The same applies to the smaller earthquakes occasionally felt on the island: while the experience can be frightening, they are usually not dangerous. Although St. Maarten has fortunately not experienced a more damaging earthquake than the 1974 event in recorded history, the possibility of a stronger earthquake cannot be completely excluded.
Although the natural reaction during an earthquake is often to run outside, the CDC advises the opposite. “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” is the recommended advice: seek cover under a sturdy table or another nearby safe place and remain indoors until the shaking stops. Stay away from elevators, windows, and exterior walls.
If a strong earthquake occurs while you are near the coast, it is recommended to move to higher ground or go further inland. Although rare, earthquakes can generate tsunamis under certain circumstances.
After an earthquake, aftershocks can occur. Also check whether fires or gas leaks have occurred. Avoid unnecessary phone calls so communication networks do not become congested. Text messaging is often a good alternative.
For emergencies on island, there is a response force (ESF) of emergency services and armed forces.
