The Caribbean region experienced a seismically active commencement to the new year as multiple earthquakes were recorded across various territories on January 1st and 2nd. According to monitoring data from the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC) based in Trinidad, three distinct tremors affected islands from Trinidad to Guadeloupe within a 24-hour period.
The most recent seismic event registered as a magnitude 3.5 earthquake occurred precisely 38 minutes into Friday morning, originating at a depth of 10 kilometers. The tremor’s effects were perceptible across a wide geographical area, with residents reporting vibrations 102 kilometers east-southeast of Guadeloupe’s capital Point-à-Pitre, 109 kilometers northeast of Dominica’s Roseau, and 158 kilometers north-northeast of Martinique’s capital Fort-de-France.
Earlier on New Year’s Day, Trinidad residents experienced two separate seismic occurrences. At 12:11 PM local time, a magnitude 3.7 earthquake shook the nation’s capital Port of Spain along with southern city San Fernando and eastern town Arima. This particular event was notable for its exceptionally shallow depth of merely one kilometer, potentially amplifying the perceived shaking intensity among local populations.
The day’s seismic activity had commenced hours earlier when a magnitude 3.8 tremor was recorded at 6:24 AM local time. This earthquake produced noticeable effects across multiple Eastern Caribbean territories, including Basseterre in St. Kitts and Nevis, St. John’s in Antigua and Barbuda, and Brades in Montserrat.
Despite the multiple seismic events affecting populated areas, the UWI-SRC has confirmed that no injuries or structural damage have been reported in connection with any of the earthquakes. The center continues to monitor the region’s seismic activity, which remains within expected parameters for the geologically active Caribbean plate boundary.