Volume No. 2 Issue No. 22 - Friday November 30, 2007
Dominicans rattled by largest quake this century
 By Thomson Fontaine
Map showing the epicenter of the November 29, 2007 earthquake.
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Dominicans are today counting their blessings a day after a series of earthquakes rocked the island. The largest, recorded at 7.3 on the Richter scale struck just about 3 P.M. on Thursday and was located about 26 miles South South East of Roseau.
Thirty–four minutes later, another one struck with an intensity measured at 5.0 on the Richter scale, and was located 17 miles South South East of Roseau. The third located some 14 miles South east of Roseau came thirty seven minutes later and registered at 4.8.
The aftershocks continued today with another striking just after midnight at 5.1 on the Richter scale.
In the capital city of Roseau, Carlisle JnoBaptiste of the New Chronicle reported that people dashed from their homes screaming as the first earthquake struck. Tourism minister Ian Douglas said he felt the entire earth shift from under his feet as he was viewing Miracle Lake in the North of the island.
Interestingly, Miracle Lake was formed when an earthquake caused the inward collapse of a significant hill top, which was later filled with water, and is now considered one of Dominica’s newest tourism attractions.
The highest intensity of the major quake was registered in Colihaut, Atkinson and Castlebruce. It also shook homes in La Plaine, Grand Bay and throughout the villages of Dominica.
The latest quakes came almost exactly three years to the day, when on the morning of November 21, 2004, an earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale caused the collapse of the catholic churches in Vielle Case and Portsmouth, and damaged several other buildings.
At the time no one was injured because the faithful were attending a church event in Roseau, and the churches were closed. Government later estimated the damage from that earthquake at over US $19 million.
Such a magnitude quake as the most recent has caused catastrophic damage to other countries and regions, including triggering the Tsunami in East Asia in 2004.
Scientists believe that the islands were spared this time because the epi-center of the quake was centered deep beneath the Caribbean Sea at a depth of almost 90 miles.
Dominicans who experienced the quake are requested to fill out a questionnaire for the US Geological survey, which attempts to keep a record of eyewitness accounts to the event. The form can be accessed here.
Read more on the 2004 Quake
Earthquakes and landslides creates chaos in Dominica
Earthquake leaves confusion and unanswered questions
Cost of earthquake in Dominica
Cost of earthquake and related disasters in Dominica
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