A 6.0-magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Puerto Rico at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, around 60 kilometers north of the town of San Antonio, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reports.
The earthquake was registered at 03:23 UTC on Tuesday. The USGS originally reported its magnitude as 6.3, but later reduced the number to 6.0. No tsunami warning has been issued yet. The closest residential area to the epicenter of the quake is San Antonio, a small town with a population of just over 2,000 people, and the municipality of Isabella in the northwestern part of the island.
Absolutely terrifying earthquake in Puerto Rico!
— Law & Justice (@TeamBlue2020) September 24, 2019
Dude, I’m hi af. I’m from Puerto Rico and I just experienced an earthquake. So I’m laying relax, clothelss in my leaving room, watching Netflix and I start to feel my sofa shaking and I 1/2
— SuperJezus (@SuperJezus1) September 24, 2019
Strong tremors were reported across the island, with terrified locals taking to social media to share firsthand accounts of the quake.
“I am still shaken to the core. It was very strong. I was really scared,” a netizen based in Aguadilla, a town on Puerto Rico’s northwestern tip, tweeted.
In Aguadilla Ramey By the Golf Course. I am still shaken to the core. It was very strong. I was really scared.
— Vivian Ruiz (@ExelVRuiz) September 24, 2019
Witnesses reported hearing a “long sound like if it was thundering” before the jolts rattled the ground.
Yabucoa and very strong and before it a loud and long sound like if it was thundering
— Aracelis Gonzalez (@KeiYen2228) September 24, 2019
Mayaguez. House shook for about two minutes, settled down, then we felt another about ten minutes later.
— Audrey Binkowski (@laughmom) September 24, 2019
The earthquake was followed by several aftershocks, with magnitudes of about 4.6 or greater.
BREAKING: There have now been 4 earthquakes to rattle Puerto Rico tonight:
4.6 (aftershock)
4.6 (aftershock)
4.7 (aftershock)
6.0 (the original one) pic.twitter.com/mt3nlz3mAt— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) September 24, 2019
While the quake appears to have sent many into panic, there have been no reports of casualties or serious material damage so far.
Just experienced a 5.8 quake in Levittown, Puerto Rico. The building shook for about 5 seconds. First indication were dogs in the neighborhood barking desperately. I could also feel a slight vibration in the cement walls just prior. It happened at about 11:20 pm. All is calm now.
— Carlos Ramirez (@CR1Trevino) September 24, 2019
The island is prone to natural disasters, and is still reeling from the devastating September 2017 Hurricane Maria, which left a trail of destruction in its wake and displaced thousands. Many are still living in ramshackle houses with makeshifts roofs, with the Trump administration being blamed by some for its failure to meet the needs of those affected.
Also on rt.com Puerto Rico raises death toll of Hurricane Maria to 2,975 from initial 64
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