Hi Everyone. This note started out pretty good. Little positives, but then the last line will grab you since Santiago is in the middle of the Cibao Valley. YIKES !

12. Small quakes should not worry people
The recent series of minor earthquakes that have affected parts of the Dominican Republic is a probable indicator that these are not forecasting a major seismic event, according to geologist Luis Pena. At a conference at the Pedro Henriquez Urena National University (UNPHU), Pena and fellow geologist Orlando Franco explained that these smaller events are considered positive, since they free up energy that accumulates in the earth's crust.
According to the experts "We should thank God that they are occurring in so many different places, since if they were to occur all in the same place it could be dangerous".
They stressed however, that while this is good news, it would not be wise to allow awareness of the risk of a major earthquake in the country to disappear. They said that education, evaluation of existing structures and remodeling of those found lacking in some way were of utmost importance. They said that the Cibao region is the area at greatest risk.