January 10, 1888 Earthquake: St George'S, Trinidad, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago

Reference #124

1888, January 10, 08:30(55) local time. 11.5 N, 62 W, magnitude 7.5, intensity VIII, depth 150 km.

In the journal Nature of February 16, 1888 (page 378-379), the sequence of strong tremors felt on the island of Granada on January 10, 1888, in the morning, with a total duration of 20 to 30 seconds. Several houses in St. George were severely damaged as well as the Catholic church, which had to be rebuilt, as well as the Anglican and the house that occupies the court of justice. In the March 1 issue of the same journal, Nature, (page 421), it is reported that this earthquake occurred in other nearby islands: Barbados, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Granada, Demerara and Trinidad, where damage occurred In many places. The narrative continues, indicating that the earthquake was felt on the other side of the Gulf of Paria, having fallen three houses in Guiria, where the earth opened in deep chasms and closed again. In Irapa the jolt was so strong that a terrified old lady lounged and drowned.

At the same time and day, Centeno (1949) notes a strong tremor in Ciudad Bolivar, Carupano, Costa de Paria, Aragua de Barcelona and other places. Robson (1964) extends information to local damages in Trinidad; In Santa Lucia and Barbados there would have been no damage.

Reference #1055

1888, January 10, 08:55 a.m. local time. West Indies (Grenada), St. George, Grenville, also Trinidad and Paria, intensity II which corresponds to buildings may be unroofed or shattered and some may fall, the ground may be badly cracked in places and small landslips occur.

Reference #1908

1888, 10 January. Island of Grenada, Island of la Trinite [Lesser Antilles]. Intensity II.

1888, 10 January. Presqu'ile de Paria, opposite the island of Trinite, which suffered from the same earthquake. Intensity II.