Current status of seismicity studies in the Greater and Lesser Antilles

ABSTRACT

The present status of seismicity studies in the Greater and Lesser Antilles is discussed with reference to the adequacy of the existing data base for studies of Caribbean tectonics, of earthquake hazard and of the recognition of seismicity petterns important for seismic hazard studies and earthquake prediction. It is demonstrated that existing data bases such as those of the NEIC and ISC are generally inadequate for these purposes. Two reasons for this are identified. One reason is that in some crucial areas of the Caribbean, notably the western two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola and Jamaica, an insufficient number of seismograph stations is in operation. A second reason is that there is insufficient data exchange between the existing agencies within the region and that there is insufficient data exchange between the existing agencies within the region and that many valuable original data are either unavailable or are published only in obscure reports. It is suggested that rectification of these two defects should be a major objective of the forthcoming International Decade of Natural Hazard Reduction. In the meantime, researches who use existing seismicity catalogues should pay close attention to their completeness and homogeneity.(AU)