Among natural hazards, seismic risk is probably one of the most underestimated in Martinique. And the consequences of failing to take this natural hazard seriously could be severe. That is why a drill was held this week to prepare the public, review safety guidelines, and ensure people follow proper safety procedures.
Full-scale earthquake drill
An earthquake evacuation drill was held in Le François on Wednesday, July 22, at 8:30 a.m. in the Trianon Business Park, near Garage Saint-Michel and L’Univers du Pneu. The goal? To prepare residents for the risk of an earthquake in the event of a potential evacuation.
Martinique is located in an earthquake-prone area, so it is important to know how to react quickly. «This Wednesday, Espace Sud, the City of Le François, and the Fire and Rescue Service are bringing together businesses in the Trianon Business Park for a full-scale earthquake and evacuation drill, as part of the ISO 14001-certified Environmental Management System,» states Espace Sud in a social media post.
«When the signal is given, everyone should follow the proper safety procedures,» says Espace Sud, which is announcing the drill. First, you should protect yourself during the tremor; then, you should evacuate calmly, without using elevators. Finally, participants should «follow the marked routes» and «proceed to the assembly point.» Whether during this drill or during an actual earthquake, the same safety procedures must be followed.
Earthquakes Every Week in Martinique
Far from being a marginal risk, earthquakes pose a real threat. Last week, between July 10 and 17, approximately 94 earthquakes occurred in Martinique, according to the Martinique Volcanological and Seismological Observatory (OVSM). Most of these earthquakes were of «volcano-tectonic» origin, with epicenters ranging from 0.9 to 2 km below the volcano’s summit. Also during this period, scientists at the OVSM detected a single deep, «long-period» earthquake. None of these earthquakes were felt by the public.
For more information, the Martinique Volcanic and Seismological Observatory recommends consulting its monthly bulletins. The alert level is currently yellow, but scientists and authorities are continuing to monitor safety conditions and prepare the public.
