By Anastasha Elliott
What do you think would happen if a Tsunami was to hit Nevis?
The third form students of the Lyn Jeffers High School are about to find out.
The students will embark on a project where they will estimate how far a Tsunami will travel inland if one was to ever hit the island, said Miriam Knorr of the Environmental Action Committee.
The project is part of a SANDWATCH programme, sponsored by UNESCO.
Tsunamis’ are extremely high waves, sometimes referred to as tidal waves, that are caused by earthquakes or huge undersea landslides.
Although rare in occurrence, they most frequently occur in the Pacific Ocean. However, their have been recorded incidents throughout history, to have occurred in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and the Caribbean Seas.
Tsunami warning systems have been established in the Pacific Ocean. Since the occurrence of the Dec. 26, 2004 Tsunami in Asia plans are in the works for the establishment of warning systems in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and the Caribbean Sea.
Tsunamis’ are a serious threat to low lying coastal areas, such as those below 20 feet may be flooded.
Tsunamis’ travel at great speeds, with waves as fast as 500 mph to 800 mph. So an earthquake occurring off the coast of Venezuela might result in a Tsunami reaching some Caribbean islands within minutes, according to the ‘Introductory to SANDWATCH; An educational tool for sustainable development’ workbook, produced by UNESCO.
Tsunami warning signs include earthquakes and receding of the sea. It is important to note however that not all earthquakes cause Tsunamis’.
Approximately one week ago, the students along with Knorr, began observing the environment on Pinney’s Lagoon as part of the project.
The students will visit beaches along the island on a monthly basis to record and observe the environment and its changes.
On their first trip the students measured the quality of the water on Pinney’s Lagoon and also cleaned up the beach.
When they tested the water they found the presence of faecal coliform, a dangerous bacteria. It is naturally found in the digestive tract of humans and also in waste from animals.
The presence of the bacteria is a sign that all is not well with the water. It also meant that the water was not safe to drink, although it is ok to swim in.
The students are using valid testing kits from the Canadian Forestry Field to conduct their tests.
The results of these tests will be displayed during the Lyn Jeffers’ education fair slated for June 9.
There, students will be on hand to explain the display and to answer question regarding the display.
In other marine environmental news the Nevis Public Library is planning its 17th annual Environmental Awareness Programme under the overall theme of “Our Country, Our People, Our Future”.
The emphasis for the children’s Library programme will be “People and Corals: Healthy Coral Reefs produce a Healthy Environment”.
The main objective of the programme is to create awareness among children ages 6 – 16 about the wide variety of corals that can be found on the island and their importance to the people and the economy.
