A 6.6 magnitude earthquake struck today in the Atlantic Ocean near the northern Caribbean, causing some buildings to lightly sway in the region..
The Associated Press (AP) said that the quake struck at a shallow depth of six miles (10 kilometers), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter was located about 170 miles (270 kilometers) north-northeast of Antigua and Barbuda.
The earthquake was felt on several islands, including Puerto Rico. No damage was immediately reported, AP said.
The Virgin Islands Consortium said that the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has reported two significant seismic events, an earthquake of magnitude 6.6 in the North Atlantic Ocean and a subsequent magnitude 4.2 tremor in the Leeward Islands this afternoon.
The larger earthquake sent tremors that were felt in the U.S. Virgin Islands and other Caribbean islands, the Virgin Islands Consortium reported. The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) said it is closely monitoring these seismic events and will issue any necessary follow-up actions, according to an alert from the agency.
The first earthquake was also detected at distances ranging from 330.4 km (204.9 mi) north-northeast of Saint John’s, Antigua, and Barbuda, to 413.0 km (256.1 mi) north of Sainte-Rose, Guadeloupe. The first VITEMA alert was received at about 4:49 p.m.
Just over half an hour later, at 5:22 p.m., a second seismic event was recorded. This time, a magnitude 4.2 earthquake was detected in the Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands Consortium said. The earthquake’s epicentre was located at a depth of 9 km, and the coordinates were 19.821N North and 61.189W West. It was noted to be 250.6 km (155.4 mi) north-northeast of Codrington, Antigua, and Barbuda, and as far as 389.8 km (241.7 mi) north of Sainte-Rose, Guadeloupe.
Although the tremors were felt in the U.S. Virgin Islands, no immediate damage or injuries have been reported. USGS and VITEMA are closely monitoring the situation, and further information will be disseminated as it becomes available.
If a tsunami is detected as a result of either earthquake, separate tsunami information will be released through AlertVI. Residents and visitors are advised to stay informed and follow any advisories or directives issued by local emergency management agencies.
