Tremors felt across Anguilla as magnitude 6.5 earthquake strikes Leeward Islands
A strong offshore earthquake shook the northeastern Caribbean this morning (16 May), with residents in Anguilla reporting tremors lasting several… The post Tremors felt across Anguilla as magnitude 6.5 earthquake strikes Leeward Islands appeared first on Anguilla Focus | News.
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A strong offshore earthquake shook the northeastern Caribbean this morning (16 May), with residents in Anguilla reporting tremors lasting several seconds.
There have been no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
Preliminary data from different monitoring agencies showed slight variations in magnitude and location of the seismic event.
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According to the UWI Seismic Research Centre, it was automatically located at 10.50am as a magnitude 6.5 quake at a depth of 31 kilometres, centred near latitude 17.39N and longitude 61.18W.
An hour later, the US Geological Survey reported a slightly lower magnitude of 6.0, placing the epicentre at 17.513N, 61.177W, at a depth of 30 km.
Despite the differences in early readings, both agencies indicate the earthquake occurred in the same general offshore region about 70 km east-south-east of Codrington in Barbuda.
Nearby population centres included Saint John’s in Antigua which was 80km northeast, as well as Brades in Montserrat and Point-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe – both located at a distance of 132km.
Seismologists typically revise magnitude and location estimates in the hours after an event as additional sensor data is processed.
In a Facebook post, the UWI Seismic Research Centre said: “We can expect aftershocks after the event off Antigua this morning. Some of these maybe magnitude 3.5 and above and likely to be felt.”
It added: “Remember do not panic, stay calm – drop, cover and hold on. Do not run outside while the shaking is happening. Earthquakes can happen at anytime, we must be prepared.”
The post Tremors felt across Anguilla as magnitude 6.5 earthquake strikes Leeward Islands appeared first on Anguilla Focus | News.
