The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) assists in sensitising citizens of the elevated activity of Kick em’ Jenny (KeJ) to an Orange Alert Level.
KeJ is one of the most active volcanoes in the Eastern Caribbean and as such the University of the West Indies – Seismic Research Centre (UWI SRC) instruments may record increased earthquake activity beneath the volcano during sustained periods.
Overnight, during March 11-12 2018, a substantial increase in earthquake activity associated with the volcano was recorded. This information was relayed to the National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) in Grenada and the alert level for KeJ was increased from Yellow to Orange. This Alert Level suggests that there is a highly elevated level of seismic, fumarolic and/or unusual activity. Ships and other marine operators are asked to observe the exclusion zone of 5 km/3.1 miles.
Within the last few hours, this earthquake activity has slowed.
NaDMA in collaboration with the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Center will continue to monitor the activities of Kick em’ Jenny and will update the public as necessary.
As the National Disaster Office, the ODPM wishes to make citizens aware that we are in constant communication with all key stakeholders on and off-shore, both local and regional, including the UWI SRC, the Strategic Security Agency (SSA), Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Energy and Energy Affairs and the National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA) of Grenada, and will continue to advise citizens if there is any impending threat at this time.
The ODPM will like to underscore the following:
- The Maritime Services Division will broadcast through the North Post Radio a notice to mariners with marine interests to preserve life and property.
- Citizens are asked to listen local radio and television stations for further updates if warranted by this situation.
- The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government has been contacted and is on standby to advise vulnerable communities if evacuation becomes necessary.
Trinidad and Tobago is currently NOT under any threat at this time. The ODPM is in close communication with the UWI Seismic Research Centre who is monitoring the situation and will advise the ODPM if the situation warrants.
Citizens can refer to the NaDMA, UWI SRC and the ODPM’s social media pages for more information on the KeJ volcano.