The Research Center says much of the increased earthquake activity is focused on the northeastern part of the Caribbean.

“We should all ensure that we are prepared. Plan and practice, individually, nationally, and regionally,” the Centre urged on December 1, 2023.

“Many of the events occurring overnight have been located in the northeastern section of the arc, in the area known to have generated our largest earthquake, on 08 February 1843. In recent days and months, several areas, from Barbados to far north-east of the arc, have generated moderate to strong earthquakes.  Sometimes, such activity signals an even more significant magnitude earthquake, in the short term,” the Centre informed.

According to them, there is no scientific way to predict when, where or how powerful an earthquake will be. All that is known, they clarify, is that powerful earthquakes form part of the earthquake cycle. 

“Larger earthquakes are also a normal part of the earthquake cycle.  At this time, however, the science [cannot] predict exactly where and when such events would occur. To mitigate the impact, we should always have our preparedness measures in place.”

Two earthquakes were recorded over the weekend. On December 4, 2023, a magnitude 4.1 earthquake was recorded off the coast of Guadeloupe at a depth of 10km. On December 3, 2023, a magnitude 4.7 quake was recorded off the coast of Guadeloupe at a depth of 10km.