Every unfelt tremor reported is a data point saved — and every one ignored is a gap in the scientific record. According to Antigua Observer, a leading seismologist at the University of the West Indies is calling on Caribbean residents to take a more active role in regional earthquake monitoring by reporting any seismic activity they experience.
Dr Abayomi Osotuyi, a Research Fellow and Lecturer at the UWI Seismic Research Centre in Trinidad and Tobago, is spearheading the push for greater public participation in data collection. His message is straightforward: when residents feel a tremor and stay silent, scientists lose critical information that could otherwise contribute to a more complete understanding of seismic activity across the region.
As reported by Antigua Observer, Dr Osotuyi is urging people throughout the Caribbean to report seismic events as soon as they occur, emphasising that even minor tremors can yield valuable data for researchers working to monitor and assess earthquake risk in the region.
The Caribbean sits within a seismically active zone, making public awareness and community reporting an essential complement to the technical instruments already in place. Scientists rely not only on sensor networks but also on firsthand accounts from residents to build a fuller picture of where and how the earth is moving.
Dr Osotuyi's call to action highlights the important role that ordinary citizens can play in advancing scientific knowledge — and ultimately, in helping communities better prepare for seismic events.
