Seismic alert: Dominican Republic facing the risk of a major earthquake
The recent 7.4 magnitude earthquake recorded in Colombia has raised alarms in the Dominican Republic, reigniting the debate over the country’s vulnerability to large-scale seismic events. During his appearance on Esto No es Radio Show, communicator and firefighter José Martínez Brito offered a technical analysis of the national tectonic reality, warning that the nation faces imminent danger due to a lack of structural preparedness.
Brito explained that, like Colombia, the Dominican territory is exposed to a complex interaction between the North American and Caribbean plates. The main concern lies with the Septentrional fault, in the northern part of the country, which has been accumulating energy since 1946 with an annual displacement of between 6 and 12 millimeters, without having released a significant load in decades.
Devastating scenarios: Santiago under the magnifying glass
Experts from the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) and the National Office of Seismic Assessment and Vulnerability of Infrastructure and Buildings (ONESVIE) have projected that an 8.1 magnitude earthquake in the northern region would have catastrophic consequences. According to Martínez Brito, the figures are alarming:
- An 8.1 earthquake is 11 times more powerful than a 7.4 one.
- Santiago de los Caballeros could face estimated economic losses of 10 billion dollars.
- A possible collapse of between 2,500 and 3,000 buildings is estimated.
What kills you is not the seismic movement, what kills you is the building that falls. What kills you is the building that breaks, what kills you is the bridge that collapses.
José Martínez Brito
Construction deficiencies and emergency response
The communicator denounced a worrying lack of quality in public works, pointing out that while private towers usually meet better standards, hospitals, educational centers, and state institutions present serious structural deficiencies. Brito questioned the State’s response capacity, warning that if hospitals collapse during a seismic event, the humanitarian crisis would be incalculable.
Likewise, the expert highlighted the insufficiency of human resources. With barely 200 specialized rescuers in the entire territory, the response capacity in a scenario of thousands of collapsed buildings is practically nil. Given this reality, he proposed:
- Integrate risk management and first aid into the school curriculum.
- Promote citizen training through volunteering in institutions such as Civil Defense and Fire Departments.
- Establish clear action protocols for the civilian population.
Security recommendations
Faced with uncertainty about when the next major event will occur, Martínez Brito urged citizens to take preventive measures on their own. He reminded that, during the 15 to 20 seconds a strong earthquake usually lasts, the absolute priority is to protect the head from falling objects. Once the movement has ended, immediate evacuation of structures is vital to avoid being trapped by potential subsequent collapses caused by hidden structural damage.
