Three earthquakes recorded near Antigua and Barbuda
Three small earthquakes were automatically recorded near Antigua and Barbuda late on Oct. 28 and in the early hours of Oct. 29, the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (SRC) and Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) report. Preliminary magnitudes ranged from 3.8 to 4.1; there are no reports of damage or injuries and the SRC cautions these automatic detections are subject to analyst review. Residents in the British Virgin Islands may have felt light shaking and are encouraged to report any observations to uwiseismic.com/connect/earthquake-feedback to help scientists refine locations and intensity maps.
Three earthquakes were recorded near Antigua and Barbuda late on Oct. 28 and into the early hours of Oct. 29, according to automated detections reported by the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (SRC) and published by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO). The sequence began at 10:04 p.m. local time on Oct. 28 with a magnitude-3.9 event located about 52 kilometres north of St.
John’s, Antigua, at an estimated depth of 22 km. A second tremor, magnitude 3.8, was automatically logged at 12:13 a.m. on Oct. 29 and was located approximately 261 km east-southeast of Antigua at a shallow depth of 10 km. The third and largest of the series registered magnitude 4.1 at 2:42 a.m. on Oct. 29, about 282 km east of Antigua and also at roughly 10 km depth.
The SRC noted that these events were recorded automatically by its monitoring systems and emphasised that the preliminary magnitudes and locations may be revised once analysts complete a review. VINO’s report repeats the SRC information and confirms there have been no immediate reports of damage or injuries associated with the tremors.
Residents across the region — including those in the British Virgin Islands — may have felt light shaking from one or more of the events, especially the later, shallower quakes. Earthquakes in the magnitude 3.5–4.5 range are often felt indoors but very rarely cause structural damage, particularly when they originate several hundred kilometres away.
Local authorities and the SRC continue to monitor the situation and will publish any updates if analyst reviews change the preliminary readings. Anyone in the region who felt the shaking is asked to report their experience at uwiseismic.com/connect/earthquake-feedback. Public feedback helps seismologists refine event locations and intensity maps, improving the regional record and response.
These events serve as a reminder that the British Virgin Islands lie within a complex tectonic zone where the Caribbean Plate interacts with neighbouring plates, producing frequent small to moderate earthquakes. Residents are urged to familiarise themselves with basic earthquake safety: during shaking, Drop, Cover and Hold On; secure heavy furniture and tall items; prepare or maintain an emergency kit with water, non-perishable food, medications and a torch; and after a quake, check your property for hazards such as gas leaks.
There is currently no indication of damage or danger in the BVI related to these three earthquakes. For the most accurate and up-to-date seismic information, follow notices from the UWI Seismic Research Centre and local emergency management agencies. This report was compiled from SRC automatic detections as reported by VINO; readers will be notified if analyst reviews alter the preliminary magnitudes or locations.
Primary source: VINO