Earthquake strikes Puerto Rico

A moderate earthquake has struck the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico, according to Red Sismica de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico’s Seismic Network).

The quake struck shortly after 9:42 am (local time) and registered a 4.77 magnitude according to Red Sismica (that figure was later raised to 5.1)

The temblor affected areas near Punta Cana, Higuey, and Mayaguez.

The earthquake was of moderate depth, registering only eight miles below the earth’s surface, in waters north of the island.

Red Sismica said the temblor’s epicenter was about 43 miles north of Tierras Nuevas Poniente and 44 miles north of Sabana and Vega Baja.

The quake was felt throughout Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. However, no tsunami warnings have been issued for Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands or the Dominican Republic.

Local media reported that in some parts of Puerto Rico people evacuated some buildings and schools.

This was the most significant quake to hit Puerto Rico since a 5.4-magnitude temblor struck in late December.

On February 16 of this year, a 3.9-magnitude earthquake hit southeast of Guanica, southeast of Laja, and southeast of Mayagüez.