MVO Staff Participate in Regional Seismic Knowledge Exchange
Two members of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) recently participated in a Technical Knowledge Exchange hosted by the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC) and Cuba’s National Seismic Research Institute (CENAIS) in Trinidad and Tobago.
Software Engineer Arvid Ramdeane and Seismic Technician Venus Bass joined seismic experts and researchers from across the Caribbean for the two-week programme, which focused on strengthening technical capacity in seismic monitoring and disaster risk management through regional collaboration and knowledge-sharing.
The exchange provided participants with opportunities to engage in technical discussions, share experiences and best practices, and develop practical skills related to seismic network operations. A key component of the programme was hands-on training in SeisComP, an open-source software platform widely used around the world for the real-time acquisition, processing, and analysis of seismic data.
Through workshops, demonstrations, and collaborative sessions, participants explored ways to enhance seismic monitoring capabilities and improve the effectiveness of early warning and hazard assessment systems across the region.
For MVO, participation in the exchange represents an important opportunity to strengthen internal technical expertise while fostering partnerships with regional and international colleagues working in volcano and earthquake monitoring. The knowledge and skills gained through the programme will support the Observatory’s ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance monitoring systems that contribute to public safety and disaster risk reduction in Montserrat.
The Technical Knowledge Exchange was supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the European Union under the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) programme. The initiative reflects the importance of regional cooperation in building resilience and strengthening scientific capacity throughout the Caribbean.
