Experts examine Hispaniola’s history of major earthquakes and seismic risk
Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic’s history has been shaped by major earthquakes that have affected communities, cities and infrastructure, highlighting the importance of understanding seismic risk and strengthening preparedness.
The issue was examined during the discussion “The Island That Moves: Historical Earthquakes in Hispaniola,” organized by the Taíno Cultural Center Casa del Cordón. Specialists reviewed the island’s seismic activity and some of the most significant earthquakes recorded since the colonial period.
Hispaniola lies along the boundary between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates and has 14 active seismic faults. Among the most significant are the Septentrional and Enriquillo-Plantain Garden faults, which have been associated with major historical earthquakes.
1946 earthquake remains the strongest instrumentally recorded
One of the main events discussed was the August 4, 1946 earthquake, which struck off the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic with a magnitude of 7.8, making it the strongest earthquake instrumentally recorded in Hispaniola.
The earthquake caused extensive damage and triggered a tsunami that affected coastal areas, making it one of the most significant seismic disasters in Dominican history.
Experts also reviewed major earthquakes in 1842, 1751 and 1770, as well as the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, underscoring that seismic activity has been a recurring feature of Hispaniola’s geological history.
A permanent tectonic risk
Geological engineer Osiris de León, a specialist in seismicity and disaster prevention, and historian, lawyer and genealogist Joan Ferrer participated in the discussion, moderated by José Enrique Delmonte, cultural adviser to the Taíno Cultural Center Casa del Cordón.
The specialists explained that Hispaniola’s location between two tectonic plates creates continuous deformation of the Earth’s crust. Faults are areas where tectonic energy accumulates and is eventually released, producing earthquakes.
However, the severity of an earthquake does not depend solely on its magnitude. Building quality, population density, the location of communities and levels of preparedness can significantly influence the impact of a disaster.
History as a warning
The experts stressed that the absence of a major earthquake for an extended period does not mean the seismic threat has disappeared. Although earthquakes cannot be predicted precisely in terms of when, where or how strongly they will occur, knowledge of active faults and historical events can help authorities develop risk scenarios and strengthen prevention measures.
Historical records also provide valuable information about which areas have been affected in the past, the type of damage sustained and the vulnerability of infrastructure.
The discussion emphasized the need to strengthen public awareness and preparedness for earthquakes and incorporate seismic risk into land-use planning.
Prevention includes safer construction, family and community emergency plans, and ensuring that people know how to respond during and after an earthquake.
The central message was clear: earthquakes are an unavoidable part of Hispaniola’s geological history, but their impact on society depends largely on how prepared communities are to face them.
