21 quakes
in 12 hours

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad - At least 21 volcanic earthquakes occurred in northern Dominica during the period October 20, 7 p.m. to October 21, 4 a.m. local time, says a report from the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (SRC).

The largest event was magnitude 3.1. At least three of these earthquakes have been felt in the Portsmouth and Savane Paille area in northern Dominica.

This earthquake swarm is related to the volcanic earthquake sequence in northern Dominica which started on June 26. The last earthquake in this sequence was recorded on July 3.

The centre noted on its website that the Eastern Caribbean was a seismically active area with hundreds of earthquakes occurring in and around the region each year. Although not all of these earthquakes were felt, instruments at the SRC recorded the majority of these events. (SP)