Earthquake Unit gets $83 million equipment upgrade
The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) has provided $83-million worth of equipment to the Earthquake Unit at the University of West Indies (UWI), Mona which is expected to strengthen its ability to monitor and respond to seismic events.
Network manager/engineer at the Earthquake Unit Paul Williams said the equipment will allow the unit to transition from an analog system to a digital one which is more user-friendly and will allow for the recording of larger earthquakes on scale.
“The network was in need of upgrade for the past 20 years and by providing these equipment, we are in a better position to embark on improved range and quality of seismic data for research, policy decisions and disaster planning and response,” he said.
The equipment was provided under the Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP) aimed at enhancing Jamaica’s resilience to disaster and climate risk.
Giving details at a JIS Think Tank held last Friday, environment and project officer for the DVRP at JSIF, Stacey-Anne Preston, said 10 digital seismometers have been provided, which will give data on an earthquake’s magnitude, depth and epicentre.
Additionally, 30 accelerographs will be placed at seismic stations, hospitals and schools, to measure the horizontal force acting on a building.
“We have also purchased 72 ethernet radios with antennas, which will transmit data in real time from seismic stations to the central recording station at UWI,” Preston said.
The Earthquake Unit will also receive software, a computer server and network-attached storage, in addition to laboratory equipment such as a portable oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer and multiplexer.
“Another critical component of the partnership involves the matter of human capacity building in the area of seismology, where a junior research fellow at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus will earn a scholarship opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree in seismology. Upon completion, the graduate student will be employed as a seismologist within the UWI Earthquake Unit,” she announced.
JSIF will also provide funding support for the training of the staff at the Earthquake Unit.
The DVRP is funded by the Government of Jamaica through a loan agreement with the World Bank valued at US$30 million. It is being implemented by JSIF from 2016 to 2022.