An article in yesterday's edition of THE STAR entitled 'Tsunami Scare in Mobay,' raised a grave concern for our three major resort areas, which all have large chunk of their economic power, located on or near the island's coastline.

The story confirmed that Sunday's earthquake, which was preliminarily measured at 5.3 on the Richter scale, had occurred just 200 kilometres West-North-West of Montego Bay, St. James. As a result, many residents and even tourists, were reportedly staring at the sea, almost expecting to see a deadly wave of water looming toward the shore.

Luckily, this was only a scare, and according to the Seismic Unit, the earthquake was not likely to create a tsunami. Regardless, this incident has introduced a single scenario that could cost coastal cities billions of dollars, and possibly cripple the nation's largest foreign exchange earner - tourism.

The saturation levels of the soil at certain points in Montego Bay's coastline, where some resorts use piles beneath their buildings to secure the foundation, would just magnify the damage that a single Tsunami would cause.

Although the Seismic Unit stated that a tsunami was unlikely, the quake has highlighted a grave possibility that we cannot afford, as a struggling third world nation now entering into a single market economy.

Though it may cost us a pretty penny, the Government needs to take the advice of the Seismic Unit, and speedily implement the proposed tsunami early warning system, to safeguard the nation against an economy-crippling natural disaster.