• Submitted by: manso
• Society
• 05 / 08 / 2011

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10:21Havana, May 8 (Prensa Latina) Cuban specialists are perfecting their work to reduce vulnerability and achieve constant monitoring of seismic activity, a phenomenon of concern in many parts of the world.

Cuba's closeness to the Bartlett-Cayman fault system, a tectonic boundary with a very dynamic, active structure, is reason to remain alert regarding human settlements on the eastern part of the island.

In this context, the National Center of Seismological Investigations (CENAIS), based in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba and with almost 20 years' existence, plays a fundamental role.

According to Juventud Rebelde newspaper, last year an important technological addition placed Cuba's seismological service in a position to improve its data processing and analysis systems.

The result of collaboration with China and located on seven wideband channels and two telemetric control channels, the equipment automatically registers a greater number of weak and strong earthquakes.

The information is transmitted in seconds and facilitates immediate decision-making in responding to an unanticipated phenomenon, often with disastrous consequences.

Ensuring building safety and reducing vulnerability is one priority of engineers and other professionals with this institution.

Comprehensive vulnerability and risk studies are underway in various municipalities and provinces, including the effects of other natural phenomena and the possibility of extending this practice to all of eastern Cuba.

During the past year, the CENAIS increased public information and the training of government agencies, two aspects that are crucial in responding to natural phenomena of sudden impact such as earthquakes.