FIJI has recorded 345 seismic events from January to November 18, with the Department of Lands saying it is always best to stay prepared for natural disasters.

Director of Mineral Resources Malakai Finau said yesterday that earthquakes were happening in different parts of Fiji which meant that it was not possible to predict when the next event would happen.

Mr Finau said though the numbers were quite high, it was also attributed to the improving of their seismic systems.

“There is an increase in frequency that has been captured because we have improved our system,” he said. “We note that there is lot of activity and it could be because recently we have had a lot of activity — seismic events in New Zealand and Japan.

“Any disaster is a threat to Fiji but it depends on the magnitude so we must be prepared at all times to deal with it.”

Mr Finau made the comments at the Fiji Geospatial Information Management 3rd annual conference where the numbers were revealed in a Department of Lands presentation. The department’s presentation noted that full-time monitoring of seismic activity had started in April this year.

“It is very important for duty officers to be on watch during this operation,” said Sakaraia Malodali in the department’s presentation.

Mr Malodali said the department kept in close contact with the National Disaster Management Office for the formulation of the tsunami response plan.

“What we have with the officers is we are trying to reduce the time, for us to disseminate the information to the public as well.”