The Geological Definition of the Caribbean

The geological definition of the Caribbean

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by Ms. Ifáṣínà Efunyemi

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​Locating the Caribbean -

Multiple Choice

Earth movements that impact and influence the surface of the Earth.

• volcanoes

• seismic activity

• tectonic plates

• earthquakes

Multiple Choice

A subterranean feature that is part of the Earth's crust and on which land and oceans are found.

• tsunami

• tectonic plate

• mountain building

• seismic activity

The Caribbean region lies on the Caribbean Plate, one of the smaller plates to be found on the Earth’s crust.

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Countries that are on the margins of this plate experience seismic activities such as volcanoes and earthquakes.​

The Caribbean Plate

Multiple Choice

What is the main feature of the geological definition of the Caribbean?

• the Caribbean Plate

• the Caribbean Sea

• the Caribbean Basin

• Sufriere Hills volcano

Multiple Choice

Which of these is NOT a seismic/tectonic activity?

• earthquakes

• mountain building

• rip tides

• volcanoes

1. ​Includes countries that are not considered Caribbean

2. ​Excludes countries that are considered Caribbean

Problems with this definition:

Multiple Choice

This Caribbean country is NOT on the Caribbean Plate:

• The Bahamas

• Cuba

• St. Vincent and the Grenadines

• Puerto Rico

Multiple Choice

Which country fits the geological definition of the Caribbean but is not considered a Caribbean country?

• Honduras

• Jamaica

• St. Lucia

• Colombia

​Countries in the Greater Antilles like Haiti, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico tend to experience earthquakes.

​​Earthquakes

Countries in the Lesser Antilles such as Montserrat, Dominica, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines experience volcanoes.

​​Volcanoes

​Tectonic activities in the Caribbean

Multiple Choice

Haiti experiences volcanoes. True or false?

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

This country had a volcanic eruption in 2021:

• Haiti

• Dominica

• Montserrat

• St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Multiple Choice

Belize is NOT affected by seismic activity. True or false?

• TRUE

• FALSE

When La Soufriere erupted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 2021, Barbados also experienced severe ash fall though the eruption did not occur there.

Ash fall in Barbados

While the last tsunami to impact the Caribbean was in 1946 in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, this is still something to be mindful of when earthquakes occur in the sea.

​​Tsunami

​Even though the epicenter of an earthquake may be in one country, tremors can still be felt miles away and depending on the magnitude can cause damage.

​​Earthquake tremors

Impacts of seismic activity

Multiple Choice

Which country was affected by the volcanic eruption in St. Vincent and the Grenadines?

• Grenada

• Dominican Republic

• Barbados

• Dominica