For list of Jamaica Seismograph Network Stations, click here

Three seismometers (sensors) attached to accelerometer (Click to enlarge)

Presently the Jamaica Seismograph Network (JSN) consists of twelve(12) permanent short-period seismograph stations, one broad-band instrument and eight digital accelerographs. Four of the stations have three sensors that measure ground movement vertically and in two horizontal directions (pictured right).

The stations are equipped with Mark L-4, 1-second seismometers and Geotech field electronics. Signals from the stations are transmitted by frequency modulation continuously using UHF analogue telemetry to a Central Recording Station (pictured below-left) at the Mona Campus of University of the West Indies in Kingston. There the signals are digitized at 50 and 100 hertz (Hz). An earthquake is declared and recorded when three signals go high and stay high simultaneously. Then all stations write the event enabling real-time detection and recording of global seismic activity and more importantly, the location and magnitude determination of earthquakes on and near to Jamaica.

Antenna at Central Recording Station used for receiving seismograph station data

The digital accelerographs record only significant ground motion in the immediate vicinity of the instrument, typically from local earthquakes with magnitude 4 and higher. These records are used for delimiting strong ground shaking thereby determining the potential for damage in affected areas.