(Coryphaena Hippurus) in the Northeastern Caribbean
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An 1867-Class Tsunami: Potential Devastation in the US Virgin Islands
Watlington, Roy A. (2006) An 1867-class tsunami: potential devastation in the US Virgin Islands. In: Caribbean Tsunami Hazard, (A. Mercado and P. Liu editors, ISBN 981-256-535-3), pp 255-267. AN 1867-CLASS TSUNAMI: POTENTIAL DEVASTATION IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS ROY A. WATLINGTON University of the Virgin Islands Abstract This paper describes the potential devastation that might result in the United States Virgin Islands if a tsunami identical to the Virgin Islands tsunami of November 18, 1867 were to occur today. Comparisons are made based on the reported runup in 1867 and also on the changes in population, coastal infrastructure, shipping activity, and in warning and mitigation systems for natural hazards. To find examples and make comparisons to modern demographics and infrastructure, the impacts of recent damaging hurricanes are presented. Recommendations are made on preparing for and mitigating the effects of a local tsunami. Background The 1867 Virgin Islands’ tsunami was initiated by an earthquake along a fault beneath the Virgin Islands Basin. This deep body of water is defined by the islands forming its topographic barriers. St. Thomas, St. John and the British Virgin Islands separate it from the Atlantic; St. Croix separates it from the Caribbean Sea, while Vieques and Culebra define its western boundary. To the east the Basin opens to the Atlantic through the Anegada Passage. It connects to the Caribbean’s Venezuela Basin through the Jungfern Passage and Grappler Channel. Interpretation of historic data and the accounts of witnesses have placed the earthquake’s epicenter at a location approximately equidistant from St. -
A Modified Sverdrup Model of the Atlantic and Caribbean Circulation
MARCH 2002 WAJSOWICZ 973 A Modi®ed Sverdrup Model of the Atlantic and Caribbean Circulation ROXANA C. WAJSOWICZ* Department of Meteorology, University of Maryland at College Park, College Park, Maryland (Manuscript received 9 October 2000, in ®nal form 6 August 2001) ABSTRACT An analytical model of the mean wind-driven circulation of the North Atlantic and Caribbean Sea is constructed based on linear dynamics and assumed existence of a level of no motion above all topography. The circulation around each island is calculated using the island rule, which is extended to describe an arbitrary length chain of overlapping islands. Frictional effects in the intervening straits are included by assuming a linear dependence on strait transport. Asymptotic expansions in the limit of strong and weak friction show that the transport streamfunction on an island boundary is dependent on wind stress over latitudes spanning the whole length of the island chain and spanning just immediately adjacent islands, respectively. The powerfulness of the method in enabling the wind stress bands, which determine a particular strait transport, to be readily identi®ed, is demonstrated by a brief explanation of transport similarities and differences in earlier numerical models forced by various climatological wind stress products. In the absence of frictional effects outside western boundary layers, some weaker strait transports are in the wrong direction (e.g., Santaren Channel) and others are too large (e.g., Old Bahama Channel). Also, there is no western boundary current to the east of Abaco Island. Including frictional effects in the straits enables many of these discrepancies to be resolved. -
Multidecadal and NA0 Related Variability in a Numerical Model of the North Atlantic Circulation
Multidecadal and NA0 related variability in a numerical model of the North Atlantic circulation Multidekadische und NA0 bezogene Variabilitäin einem numerischen Modell des Nordatlantiks Jennifer P. Brauch Ber. Polarforsch. Meeresforsch. 478 (2004) ISSN 1618 - 3193 Jennifer P. Brauch UVic Climate Modelling Research Group PO Box 3055, Victoria, BC, V8W 3P6, Canada http://climate.uvic.ca/ [email protected] Die vorliegende Arbeit ist die inhaltlich unverändert Fassung einer Dis- sertation, die 2003 im Fachbereich Physik/Elektrotechnik der Universitä Bremen vorgelegt wurde. Sie ist in elektronischer Form erhältlic unter http://elib.suub.uni-brernen.de/. Contents Zusammenfassung iii Abstract V 1 Introduction 1 2 Background 5 2.1 Main Characteristics of the Arctic and North Atlantic Ocean .... 5 2.1.1 Bathymetry ............................ 5 2.1.2 Major currents .......................... 7 2.1.3 Hydrography ........................... 8 2.1.4 Seaice ............................... 11 2.1.5 Convection ............................ 12 2.2 Variability ................................. 13 2.2.1 NA0 ................................ 13 2.2.2 Variability in the Arctic Mediterranean ............ 17 2.2.3 GSA ................................19 2.2.4 Oscillations in ocean models .................. 20 3 Model description 3.1 Ocean model ................................ 3.1.1 Equations ............................. 3.1.2 Setup ................................ 3.2 Sea Ice model ............................... 3.2.1 Equations ............................ -
Surface Currents Near the Greater and Lesser Antilles
SURFACE CURRENTS NEAR THE GREATER AND LESSER ANTILLES by C.P. DUNCAN rl, S.G. SCHLADOW1'1 and W.G. WILLIAMS SUMMARY The surface flow around the Greater and Lesser Antilles is shown to differ considerably from the widely accepted current system composed of the Caribbean Current and Antilles Current. The most prominent features deduced from dynamic topography are a flow from the north into the Caribbean near Puerto Rico and a permanent eastward-flowing counter-current in the Caribbean itself between Puerto Rico and Venezuela. Noticeably absent is the Antilles Current. A satellite-tracked buoy substantiates the slow southward flow into the Caribbean and the absence of the Antilles Current. INTRODUCTION Pilot Charts for the North Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea (Defense Mapping Agency, 1968) show westerly surface currents to the North and South of Puerto Rico. The Caribbean Current is presented as an uninterrupted flow which passes through the Caribbean Sea, Yucatan Straits, Gulf of Mexico, and Florida Straits to become the Gulf Stream. It is joined off the east coast of Florida by the Antilles Current which is shown as flowing westwards along the north coast of Puerto Rico and then north-westerly along the northern edge of the Bahamas (BOISVERT, 1967). These surface currents are depicted as extensions of the North Equatorial Current and the Guyana Current, and as forming part of the subtropical gyre. As might be expected in the absence of a western boundary, the flow is slow-moving, shallow and broad. This interpretation of the surface currents is also presented by WUST (1964) who employs the same set of ship’s drift observations as are used in the Pilot Charts. -
Transport Variability of the Deep Western Boundary Current and The
ARTICLE IN PRESS Deep-Sea Research I 51 (2004) 1397–1415 www.elsevier.com/locate/dsr Transport variabilityof the Deep Western BoundaryCurrent and the Antilles Current off Abaco Island, Bahamas Christopher S. Meinena,Ã, Silvia L. Garzolib, William E. Johnsc, MollyO. Baringer b aCooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies, University of Miami, NOAA/AOML/PHOD, 4301 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami FL 33149, USA bAtlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Miami FL 33149, USA cRosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami FL 33149, USA Received 30 September 2003; received in revised form 6 July2004; accepted 15 July2004 Available online 15 September 2004 Abstract Hydrography is combined with 1-year-long Inverted Echo Sounder (IES) travel-time records and bottom pressure observations to estimate the Deep Western BoundaryCurrent (DWBC) transport east of Abaco Island, the Bahamas (near 26.51N); comparison of the results to a more traditional line of current meter moorings demonstrates that the IESs and pressure gauges, combined with hydrography, can accurately monitor the DWBC transport to within the accuracyof the current meter arrayestimate at this location. Between 800 and 4800 dbar, bounded bytwo IES moorings 82 km apart, the enclosed portion of the DWBC is shown to have a mean southward transport of about 25 Sv (1 Sv ¼ 106 m3 sÀ1) and a standard deviation of 23 Sv. The DWBC transport is primarilybarotropic (where barotropic is defined as the near-bottom velocityrather than the vertical average velocity);geostrophic transports relative to an assumed level of no motion do not accuratelyreflect the actual absolute transport variability(correlation coefficient is 0.30). -
By W. G. D'arcy Issued by the SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
ATOLL RESEARCH BULLETIN No. 139 THE ISLAND OF ANEGADA AND ITS k'LORA by W. G. D'Arcy Issued by THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Washington, D. C., U. S. A. February 16, 1971 THE ISLAND OF ANEGADA AND ITS nORA The island of Anegada in the British Virgin Islands is of interest because of its isolated location in relation to the Antillean island arc, its unusual topography amongst the Virgin Islands, and also the fact that it has received very little scientific attention. It now seems destined to join the list of islands which have succumbed to modern "development". This checklist combines past published reports with the writer's own collections and attempts to correct the nomenclature formerly applied to this flora. THE ISLAND Anegada is the northeasternmost of the British Virgin Islands and of the entire West Indian arc for that matter, vying with the rocky lighthouse, Sombrero, well to the southeast, as the closest Antillean approach to Europe. Its geographic coordinates are 18'45'N and 64°20'W, and it encompasses 14.987 square miles (Klumb and Robbins 1960) or about 33 square km. In shape it is a rather lumpy crescent with its long axis running approximately west by north and east by south. The nearest land, Virgin Gorda, some thirteen miles (ca 22 km) to the south and slightly west, is a prominent feature on the horizon (Fig. I), as is the mass of the other Virgins--Tortola, Camanoe and Jost Van Dyke-- further to the southwest. To the north and east there is no land for a long way. -
Paleogeography of the Caribbean Region: Implications for Cenozoic Biogeography
PALEOGEOGRAPHY OF THE CARIBBEAN REGION: IMPLICATIONS FOR CENOZOIC BIOGEOGRAPHY MANUEL A. ITURRALDE-VINENT Research Associate, Department of Mammalogy American Museum of Natural History Curator, Geology and Paleontology Group Museo Nacional de Historia Natural Obispo #61, Plaza de Armas, CH-10100, Cuba R.D.E. MA~PHEE Chairman and Curator, Department of Mammalogy American Museum of Natural History BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY Number 238, 95 pages, 22 figures, 2 appendices Issued April 28, 1999 Price: $10.60 a copy Copyright O American Museum of Natural History 1999 ISSN 0003-0090 CONTENTS Abstract ....................................................................... 3 Resumen ....................................................................... 4 Resumo ........................................................................ 5 Introduction .................................................................... 6 Acknowledgments ............................................................ 8 Abbreviations ................................................................ 9 Statement of Problem and Methods ............................................... 9 Paleogeography of the Caribbean Region: Evidence and Analysis .................. 18 Early Middle Jurassic to Late Eocene Paleogeography .......................... 18 Latest Eocene to Middle Miocene Paleogeography .............................. 27 Eocene-Oligocene Transition (35±33 Ma) .................................... 27 Late Oligocene (27±25 Ma) ............................................... -
Chronology of Major Caribbean Earthquakes by Dr
Chronology of Major Caribbean Earthquakes By Dr. Frank J. Collazo February 4, 2010 Seismic Activity in the Caribbean Area The image above represents the earthquake activity for the past seven days in Puerto Rico (roughly Jan 8-15, 2010). As you can see there are quite a few recorded. In fact, the Puerto Rico Seismic Network has registered around 80 earthquake tremors in the first 15 days of 2010. Thankfully for Puerto Rico, these are usually on the lower end of the scale, but they are felt around the island. In fact, while being on the island, I actually felt two earthquakes, one of which was the 7.4 magnitude Martinique earthquake back in November 2007. The following is a chronology of the major earthquakes in the Caribbean basin: 1615: Earthquake in the Dominican Republic that caused damages in Puerto Rico. 1670: Damages in San Germán and San Juan (MJ). A strong earthquake, whose magnitude has not been determined, occurred in 1670, significantly affecting the area of San German District. 1692: Jamaica Fatalities 2,000. Level of damages is unknown. 1717: Church San Felipe in Arecibo and the parochial house in San Germán were destroyed (A). 1740: The Church of Guadalupe in Villa de Ponce was destroyed (A). Intensity VII, there is only information from Ponce that the earthquake was felt, absence of information of San Germán and the information of Yauco and Lajas suggest a superficial earthquake near to Ponce (G). 1787: Possibly the strongest earthquake that has affected Puerto Rico since the beginning of colonization. This was felt strongly throughout the Island and may have been as large as magnitude 8.0 on the Richter Scale. -
Predictability of Non-Phase-Locked Baroclinic Tides in the Caribbean Sea Edward D
Predictability of Non-Phase-Locked Baroclinic Tides in the Caribbean Sea Edward D. Zaron1 1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA Correspondence: E. D. Zaron ([email protected]) Abstract. The predictability of the sea surface height expression of baroclinic tides is examined with 96 hr forecasts pro- duced by the AMSEAS operational forecast model during 2013–2014. The phase-locked tide, both barotropic and baroclinic, is identified by harmonic analysis of the 2 year record and found to agree well with observations from tide gauges and satellite altimetry within the Caribbean Sea. The non-phase-locked baroclinic tide, which is created by time-variable mesoscale strati- 5 fication and currents, may be identified from residual sea level anomalies (SLAs) near the tidal frequencies. The predictability of the non-phase-locked tide is assessed by measuring the difference between a forecast – centered at T + 36 hr, T + 60 hr, or T + 84 hr – and the model’s later verifying analysis for the same time. Within the Caribbean Sea, where a baroclinic tidal sea level range of ±5 cm is typical, the forecast error for the non-phase-locked tidal SLA is correlated with the forecast error for the sub-tidal (mesoscale) SLA. Root-mean-square values of the former range from 0.5 cm to 2 cm, while the latter ranges from 10 1 cm to 6 cm, for a typical 84 hr forecast. The spatial and temporal variability of the forecast error is related to the dynamical origins of the non-phase-locked tide and is briefly surveyed within the model. -
Oblique Collision in the Northeastern Caribbean from GPS Measurements and Geological Observations
TECTONICS, VOL. 21, NO. 6, 1057, doi:10.1029/2001TC001304, 2002 Oblique collision in the northeastern Caribbean from GPS measurements and geological observations Paul Mann,1 Eric Calais,2 Jean-Claude Ruegg,3 Charles DeMets,4 Pamela E. Jansma,5 and Glen S. Mattioli6 Received 31 May 2001; revised 16 April 2002; accepted 10 June 2002; published 11 December 2002. [1] Previous Caribbean GPS studies have shown that Tectonophysics: Continental neotectonics; 8105 Tectonophysics: the rigid interior of the Caribbean plate is moving east- Continental margins and sedimentary basins; 3025 Marine Geology northeastward (070°) at a rate of 18–20 ± 3 mm/yr and Geophysics: Marine seismics (0935); 3040 Marine Geology relative to North America. This direction implies and Geophysics: Plate tectonics (8150, 8155, 8157, 8158); 7230 maximum oblique convergence between the island of Seismology: Seismicity and seismotectonics; KEYWORDS: GPS, neotectonics, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Bahama Platform, Hispaniola on the Caribbean plate and the 22–27-km- earthquakes. Citation: Mann, P., E. Calais, J.-C. Ruegg, C. thick crust of the Bahama carbonate platform on the DeMets, P. E. Jansma, and G. S. Mattioli, Oblique collision in the adjacent North America plate. We present a tectonic northeastern Caribbean from GPS measurements and geological interpretation of a 15-site GPS network which spans observations, Tectonics, 21(6), 1057, doi:10.1029/2001TC001304, the Hispaniola-Bahama oblique collision zone and 2002. includes stable plate interior sites on both the North America and Caribbean plates. Measurements span the time period of 1994–1999. In a North America 1. Introduction reference frame, GPS velocities in Puerto Rico, St. -
Search Bullet No
SEARCH BULLET NO. 236 ashineon, D.C., U.S.A. November 1979 I Poior t Md,tiniq"Q - CARI88EAN g o i 5r LvuajJ =& 8' SEA v'"i'"r? aJ,bdd-,D The White Horra , VENEZUELA - Jort Vai Gwat rcbw '& .; ",& THE VIRGIN ISLANDS Scale of Mlles III I d I bog Rod Heights In Feet SOME ASPECTS OF THE ECOLOGY OF REEFS SURROUNDING ANEGADA, BRITISH VIRGIIY ISLANDS 1. 2. by R.P. Dunne and B.E. Brown Introductory Description Anegada is a most unique island from many aspects. Northernmost of the American and British Virgin Islands and easternmost of the Greater Antilles, it is a flat limestone island, 17 km long and 4 km wide with a total area of about 14.94 square miles (9,567 acres 54 sq km), It is set aside from the other British Virgin Islands, being some 19 km from Virgin Gorda, its closest neighbour. It lies in distinct contrast to the volcanic and mountainous landscapes of the Virgin Group, with a maximum elevation of only 8 metres, To the north and east (windward side) the island is edged by extensive reefs beyond which stretches the Atlantic Ocean. On the leeward side, a shallow sea (2 to 8 m) separates Anegada from the main Virgin Island Group. His tory Schmburgk (1832) is the earliest authority on the island, having visited it in 1831 when he completed a most extensive survey. He writes: 'Of its history little is known; there is no likelihood that it was settled early. Ere Labat, the only early writer who speaks of the Lesser West India islands, observes, that aborigines used it as an occasional rendezvous, where they procured great quantities of conchs (~trombusgigas); and large piles of these shells are still to be seen at the east end of the island, but nowhere else ; which seems to prove decidedly that it was not permanently accupied, but merely resorted to from time to time. -
Geology of Isla Mona Puerto Rico, and Notes on Age of Mona Passage
Geology of Isla Mona Puerto Rico, and Notes on Age of Mona Passage GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 317-C Prepared in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Water Resources Authority', Puerto Rico Economic Development Administration, Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, and Puerto Rico Department of the Interior Geology of Isla Mona Puerto Rico, and Notes on Age of Mona Passage By CLIFFORD A. KAYE With a section on THE PETROGRAPHY OF THE PHOSPHORITES By ZALMAN S. ALTSCHULER COASTAL GEOLOGY OF PUERTO RICO GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 317-C Prepared in cooperation with the Puerto Rico Water Resources Authority', Puerto Rico Economic Development Administration^ Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority^ and Puerto Rico Department of the Interior UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1959 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FRED A. SEATON, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Thomas B. Nolan, Director For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office Washington 25, D. C. - Price 65 cents (paper cover) CONTENTS Page Page Abstract ----_--__----_-______________ 141 Geology of Isla Mona Continued Geology of Isla Mona_________________ 142 Phosphorite deposits.____________________________ 156 Introduction _____________________ 142 History of mining________-_-_-__-_--.____- 156 Location and topographic description 142 Description of deposits._____________________ 156 Climate _________________________ 143 Petrography of the phosphorites, by Zalman S. Flora and fauna. _________________ 144 Altschuler_______________________________ 157 Faunal origin __ _________________ 145 Analytical data.__-_-----------_1------- 159 History. _ __-----__--__.________ 145 Petrography and origin-_____-___-_---__- 159 Rocks. __________________________ 146 Supplementary nptes on mineralogy of Isla Isla Mona limestone.