FINAL HAZARDS REPORT

On October 2014 I had the opportunity to visit Jamaica. This country is magic, the people, nature, the ocean is so incredible. After taking Geology 9 I have learned a lot about this country. I’m glad that I chose Jamaica, now I want to visit places that tanks to this class I learned about. Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles positioned in both the northern and western hemisphere It is located in the west-central Caribbean, surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. Jamaica measures about 145 mi. in length and as much as 50 mi. in width, about  4,300 sq. mi. Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean. Jamaica became an independent nation on August 6, 1962. 

Jamaica’s government is fairly new and still has to learn many things from the neighboring countries. The Island of Jamaica lies on the Caribbean Plate. The Caribbean Plate lies in a complex area with two major plates and two minor plates bordering it. About 200 earthquakes are located in and around Jamaica per year most of which are minor, having magnitudes less than 4.0. Major earthquakes affected Montego Bay and Kingston in 1958, and Kingston in1993. Kingston, the most densely populated area is also the most active seismic zone. This is why I think earthquakes are a main natural hazard. Another main natural hazard would be hurricanes. Jamaica lies in the hurricane belt of the Atlantic Ocean and because of this, the island sometimes suffers significant storm damage. Hurricanes Charlie and Gilbert hit Jamaica directly in 1951 and 1988, respectively, causing major damage and many deaths. In the 2000s (decade), hurricanes Ivan, Dean and Gustav also brought severe weather to the island. 

My recommendations for this two hazards are almost the same for both. Preparedness measures to evacuate people from potential danger zones. It is very important to meet the needs of victims when a disaster strikes. Somehow with the help of the internet and cellphones we could provide some type of early warning, emergency response, relief and recovery operations in emergency situations. The government could also provide training not only to the emergency departments but also anyone capable of helping on different areas on the island. If I was to construct my own house I would choose Claremont Jamaica. Claremont is close to an airstrip, the town is not very big, yet it has everything you need. Claremont is about 10 miles from the nearest beach. Jamaica’s economy is mostly based on tourism, there isn't many jobs but it would be an awesome place to retire.

http://24timezones.com/onlinemap/jamaica_stony_hill.php

http://www.heritage.org/index/country/jamaica

http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/jamaica/overview

http://www.jm.undp.org/content/dam/jamaica/docs/environment/SeismicForum2014/SimonMitchell-JamaicaEarthquakesODPEM2014.pdf

Jamaica’s Coastal Problems

Jamaica has been affected with erosion, flooding and landslides. A United Nations environmental expert is predicting that several beaches on the western end of Jamaica could be totally wiped out in the next five to 10 years if local authorities and citizens do not act now to protect the environment. Flooding in coastal communities around Jamaica is nothing new but in recent years, what used to be unusual has become a frequent occurrence.

High waves have also destroyed the sand dunes, which had served as a natural fortification for the island. United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) said bad environmental and building practices, and illegal dumping of pollutants in the sea were killing sea grass and coral reefs, thus reducing their effectiveness in protecting the beaches from eroding.

According to UNEP, the ecosystem in Jamaica, like many other countries in the world, is under serious threat. The Caribbean has contributed very little to global climate change, but UN experts warn that small island nations like Jamaica are expected to bear the brunt of the damage.

Jamaica has plans to build submerged breakwaters and it hopes that it will absorb wave energy and slow loss of shoreline, using an initial $5.4 million in grants from a U.N. climate change convention.

http://reliefweb.int/report/jamaica/climate-change-will-increase-damage-losses-coastal-communities

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/A-contradictory-policy_18363384

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/environment/Hellshire-Beach-threatened_9066133

Extreme Weather

The weather in Jamaica fluctuates from one part of Jamaica to another, more than it does from season to season.In general the mornings are sunny, it rains for a couple of hours in the afternoon, and then the evenings are cool.Along the south coast there is usually a gentle cooling breeze, whereas the north coast gets slightly stronger winds. The average temperatures are fairly constant throughout the year. Around the coastal plains the temperature is usually about 70°F - 90°F. The north coast tends to be a few degrees cooler than the south, because of the stronger breezes. In the hills and mountainous in central parts of the island, is quite common for the temperature to drop into the 50's in the evenings.And in the Blue Mountains the temperature often drops into the 40’s. It’s almost impossible to think that at the Blue Mountain Peak it has even been known to snow.The rainy season is from May to October. The best weather in Jamaica is in "Winter" season, which is from December to April.The average annual rainfall over the island is about 77 inches per year. In the Blue Mountains rainfall exceeds 200 inches per year. Severe weather heads down from North America, and usually good weather in Jamaica takes a nose dive. They can get winds and rain for a week or more.Jamaica is in the Atlantic hurricane belt, so from June to November they are on hurricane watch. Hurricanes are very unpredictable, and even if they don't get a direct hit, they may suffer torrential rains and winds for several days.Because Jamaica is so blessed with a wide variety of fruits......and the annual extremes in temperature difference is only about 12 degrees......the year is often divided by the type of fruits in season!For example, many Jamaicans refer to May-July as mango season instead of Spring!


http://www.timeanddate.com/weather/jamaica/kingston
http://caribya.com/jamaica/weather/
http://www.jamaica-dream-vacation.com/jamaica-weather.html

Landslides in Jamaica

Landslides in Jamaica

Landslides are the most common natural hazard in Jamaica. When natural disasters are mentioned, most people think about earthquakes, hurricanes or flooding rather than landslides. Even the historic records seem to indicate that landslides are less important than earthquakes, hurricanes or floods. In fact, they are often overlooked and forgotten because they frequently coincide with other disasters by which they are often triggered. Port Royal, was almost wiped off the map when a major landslide triggered by the 1692 earthquake,it took a large part of the town below sea level.

Most people tend to regard landslides as accidents, as something that only happens to others because, in comparison with earthquakes, hurricanes and floods, landslides affect relatively small and sharply delineated areas. Landslides often move so slowly that even the people living in the affected area are not aware of it. They might only notice that from time to time, especially during or shortly after unusually wet periods, cracks develop in the walls of their houses. After a while they fix these cracks and forget about it.

Jamaica’s mountainous terrain, its high precipitation due to its geographic location in belt of tropical storms, its location the plate boundary fault zone, all combine to make the island particularly susceptible to landslides.

 Portland Parish, Jamaica.

Sources:

http://www.mona.uwi.edu/uds/Land_Jam.html

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/Caribbean-needs-help-to-combat-climate-change_15698499

http://go-jamaica.com/blog/2008/09/18/effects-of-rainfall-associated-with-tropical-storm-gustav/

VOLCANOS

Jamaica and the other islands of the Antilles evolved from an arc of ancient volcanoes that rose from the sea millions of years ago. During periods of submersion, thick layers of limestone were laid down over the old igneous and metamorphic rock. In many places, the limestone is thousands of feet thick. The country can be divided into three landform regions: the eastern mountains, the central valleys and plateaus, and the coastal plains.

The Blue Mountains extend over the eastern part of the island. Jamaica's main mountain system contains two ranges. The northerly one includes Blue Mountain Peak, which rises to 7,402 feet, the country's highest elevation. The second range, known as the Port Royal Mountains, extends south-eastward from the principal range, reaching elevations of up to about 4,000 feet. The John Crow Mountains rise in the extreme northeast of the island, between the Rio Grande and the sea. 

Vestiges of volcanic activity occur in Jamaica in the form of hot springs.

Some of these springs may have dried up over the years, but there was a time when authoritative scientists were able to identify as many as ten including:

(1) Silver Hill in St Andrew: The waters of which were described as chalybeate, aerated, cold and tonic: beneficial in cases of debility.

(2) Moffatt on the White River in the Blue Mountain Valley: The water is sulphuric, cold and purgative, useful in itch and cutaneous diseases.

(3) A similar spring near the source of the Cabaritta River in Hanover.

(4) At Windsor near St Ann's Bay, reputed for the healing of ulcers.

(5) Warm springs at Garbrand Hall in the Morant River and the Adams River in St. Thomas; and in the Guava River in Portland.

(6) A spring at New Brighton in St Catherine; a mineral spring at Mannatee Bay, also in St Catherine; Golden Vale in Portland; Salt Springs at Ferry on Spanish Town Road, and also at Salt River in Vere.

The Windsor Mineral Spring (more commonly known as "Fire Water") is a small pool of water with a very unusual quality. The pool contains water which can catch fire! This phenomenon is believed to be caused by a high concentration of sulphur in the water.

http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com

Jamaica and Earthquakes

The Government of Jamaica funds the Earthquake Unit (EQU). The EQU is a Research Unit of the Department of Geology and Geography in the Faculty of Science and Technology at the Mona Campus of the University of the West Indies. 

The EQU serves as Jamaica's hub for earthquake monitoring and research. The central Recording station at The University of The West Indies, Mona operates the Jamaica Seismograph Network (JSN), the Jamaica Strong Motion Network (JSMN) and a Global Positioning System network, which together measure a range of crustal movements weak and strong coseismic displacements to very small aseismic strains.

About 200 earthquakes are located in and around Jamaica per year most of which are minor, having magnitudes less than 4.0.

Jamaica itself is traversed by a number of geological faults.

Presently the Jamaica Seismograph Network consists of twelve permanent short-period seismograph station.

1 According to the Earthquake United the University of the West Indies, about 200 earthquakes are located in and around Jamaica per year most of which are minor, having magnitudes less than 4.0.

2 The dates of Jamaica’s most damaging earthquakes were: 1667, March 1, 1688, June 7, 1692, September 3, 1771, November 11, 1812, April 10, 1824, November 5, 1839, January 14, 1907, August 3, 1914, July 5, 1943, March 1, 1957, January 13, 1993, June 12, 2005. 

3 The largest and most damaging natural disaster in Jamaica was the famous Port Royal earthquake of June 7, 1692. It was felt island-wide and a part of Port Royal sank into the sea.  It was reported that at least 2,000 persons died as a result of an outbreak of yellow fever, which developed after the quake.

4 On January 14, 1907, the city of Kingston was severely damaged by an earthquake. It was reported that over 1,000 people died mostly in the fires following the main shock and after-shocks. After-shocks continued for the rest of the year.

5 The largest event after 1907 was on March 1, 1957.  Buildings and infrastructure in Western Jamaica suffered the most damage and a bit of the Port Royal coast sank into the sea.

Jamaica, with parts of Cuba and Hispaniola showing relevant plate boundaries 

red dots represent past epicenters 

sources: http://www.mona.uwi.edu/earthquake/index.php

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/letters/Are-we-ready-for-an-earthquake-_18840714

Layers of the Earth and Plate Tectonics

           The Caribbean Plate        

   The Island of Jamaica lies on the Caribbean Plate

The Caribbean Plate lies in a complex area with two major plates and two minor plates bordering it. The plate includes oceanic and continental crust. The Caribbean Sea covers most of the plate with Central America and volcanic islands covering the rest. The edges of the plate have intense seismic activity, frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Puerto Rico Trench

Between the North American Plate and this plate is a transform boundary and a subduction zone. The Puerto Rico trench runs between the plates and is the deepest part of the Atlantic Ocean. The trench is 8,400 meters deep. Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are on the Caribbean  side of the trench.

Dangerous volcanoes

The area also contains seventeen active and dangerous volcanoes. Two notorious volcanoes in the area are Soufriere Hills on Montserrat and Mount Pelee on Martinique.

Plate boundaries

The southern border of the plate interacts with the South American Plate. The petroleum fields of Venezuela are thought to be a result of the interaction between the two plates.

Caribbean Islands

Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago islands all formed on the Caribbean side of the plates. Between these two plates there is a transform fault, thrust faults, and a subduction zone.

Western section

The western section of the plate includes Central America. The Cocos Plate in the Pacific Ocean is subducting beneath the Caribbean Plate forming the Central America Volcanic Arc with volcanoes in Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

Work and photo credits

http://www.kids-fun-science.com/caribbean-plate.html

http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/03trench/trench/trench.html

http://education.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?layers=69cb1f185afa47528708dbaa89e0729b&useExisting=1