In its monthly bulletin, the Technical Unit of Seismology of the Bureau of Mines and Energy, reveals that from May 1st to 31, 2021, 43 earthquakes of magnitudes between 1.4 and 4, have been recorded by the monitoring networks. seismic in Haiti (local and regional : Ayiti-séismes, UTS-BME, RD-OSPL-Loyola) or +34.8% compared to the month of April which had recorded 28 earthquakes.

24 earthquakes (55.81%), occurred at sea, which could have caused a tsunami if the conditions had been met;

23 earthquakes (53.49%) occurred at a depth less than or equal to 10 km;

40 earthquakes had a magnitude less than or equal to 3;

The deepest earthquakes were mainly located in the North-West and South-East;

The departments most in demand were the North-West (19 earthquakes 44.19%) and the South-East (8 earthquakes 18.6%).

Since January 2021, the North-West and South-East departments have shown strong seismicity. Conversely, the recorded data show a decrease in seismic activity in the West and Nippes for the last 2 months. Such a decrease, however, does not mean that these departments are becoming seismically inactive. Vigilance is therefore always recommended.

Haiti is exposed to a major seismic hazard resulting from the presence of active faults including the Septentrionale Fault (SF) and the Enriquillo Plantain Garden (EPGF) fault, two more or less E-W direction structures which respectively traverse the north and the south of the territory. This seismic hazard, associated with the high level of vulnerability of the population, gives rise to a high seismic risk capable of causing disasters such as that linked to the earthquake of January 12, 2010.

As proof, on October 6, 2018, an earthquake of magnitude only 5.9 (about 35 times weaker than a magnitude 7 earthquake) caused significant damage and many victims in northwestern Haiti. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25745-haiti-flash-saturday-night-earthquake-10-dead-and-135-wounded.html

UTS reminds everyone that earthquakes are not predictable and can occur at any time in Haiti. Risk prevention actions remain in force : compliance with earthquake regulations, interior design of living spaces, training in the behavior to be followed before, during and after an earthquake.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33413-haiti-flash-the-earth-trembled-in-baraderes.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33425-haiti-environment-monthly-seismic-bulletin-march-2021.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33229-haiti-environment-increase-in-earthquakes-by-35-in-february-2021.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33099-haiti-flash-at-least-4-earthquakes-in-nippes-in-less-than-5-hours.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-32721-haiti-environment-499-earthquakes-in-haiti-in-2020.html

HL/ HaitiLibre