The discussion centers on the earthquake that occurred on March 19, 2016, with a magnitude of 6.0, located 124 km ENE of Codrington, Barbuda. This event is classified as an interplate thrust fault earthquake, with a depth of 32.0 km. Historical context reveals that the last significant interplate event in this region was in 1787, with notable earthquakes in 1946 and 1943 highlighting the seismic activity of the area. The discussion raises concerns about potential future seismic events, particularly in relation to the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden Fault system.
PREREQUISITESSeismologists, geologists, disaster response planners, and anyone interested in understanding earthquake risks in the Caribbean region.
I wonder if there will be subsequent and stronger events - sooner than later.The last probable interplate (thrust fault) event here occurred on May 2, 1787 and was widely felt throughout the island with documented destruction across the entire northern coast, including Arecibo and San Juan. Since 1900, the two largest earthquakes to occur in this region were the August 4, 1946 M8.0 Samana earthquake in northeastern Hispaniola and the July 29, 1943 M7.6 Mona Passage earthquake, both of which were shallow thrust fault earthquakes. A significant portion of the motion between the North America plate and the Caribbean plate in this region is accommodated by a series of left-lateral strike-slip faults that bisect the island of Hispaniola, notably the Septentrional Fault in the north and the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden Fault in the south.
Activity adjacent to the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden Fault system is best documented by the devastating January 12, 2010 M7.0 Haiti strike-slip earthquake, its associated aftershocks and a comparable earthquake in 1770.