Antigua and Barbuda: 4.1 magnitude earthquake recorded offshore

A moderate seismic event measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale was detected in the Eastern Caribbean region on Friday evening, according to official reports from the Seismic Research Centre (SRC) at the University of the West Indies. The tremor occurred at precisely 5:26 p.m. local time, with preliminary data indicating a significant depth of 142 kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface.

The earthquake’s epicenter was initially calculated at coordinates 17.94 degrees north latitude and 63.46 degrees west longitude, placing the seismic activity approximately 201 kilometers southeast of St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda. The event was similarly positioned about 107 kilometers southeast of Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and roughly 188 kilometers southeast of Brades, Montserrat.

Authorities confirmed that no immediate damage to infrastructure or injuries to residents have been reported across the affected region. The considerable depth of the seismic event, combined with its offshore location, significantly reduced potential impact on populated areas.

The SRC issued a technical note clarifying that the initial location data was automatically generated through advanced computer algorithms. Scientists emphasized that these preliminary readings may undergo refinement following comprehensive seismological analysis, which is standard procedure for seismic monitoring agencies.

Eastern Caribbean nations, situated along active tectonic boundaries, regularly experience such seismic activity due to the complex interaction of the Caribbean and North American plates. The region maintains robust monitoring systems to track and analyze these geological phenomena.