Puerto Rico earthquake: 4.8-magnitude tremor hits Caribbean island

Quake struck late on Thursday

Tremor was initially recorded at a magnitude of 5.1, US Geological Survey said (Google)

A magnitude 4.8-earthquake struck southern Puerto Rico late on Thursday, with tremors felt right across the island.

The quake hit near the southern town of Guayanilla at a depth of seven miles (12 kilometres), according to the US Geological Survey. The tremor initially was reported with a preliminary magnitude of 5.1 but later revised down to 4.8.

No immediate damage was reported, although many Puerto Ricans were jolted from their beds.

“It was felt everywhere,” Victor Huerfano, director of the island’s seismic network, told the Associated Press.

He said it is one of many aftershocks that have occurred since a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck in early January, killing one person and causing millions of dollars in damage along Puerto Rico’s southern coast.

In May, a 5.5-magnitude hit Puerto Rico, shaking the city of Ponce and damaging some buildings.

The epicentre of the quake hit off the coast of the Caribbean island, although the tremors did not threaten a tsunami.

No one was injured or killed. The US Geological Survey said aftershocks were recorded up to 90 minutes after the quake struck.

Shakes were felt in Guayanilla, where Thursday’s quake hit, and Guánica, southwest Puerto Rico.

The quake hit as Puerto Ricans approach their second week of extended coronavirus lockdown measures.

On 31 July, Puerto Rico’s governor Wanda Vázquez announced that all bars, gyms, marinas and movie theatres across the US territory will stay closed until at least 15 August.

Beaches remain closed on Sundays and are open the rest of the week only to people doing exercise, including surfers, swimmers and runners.

Face masks continue to be mandatory, and those who refuse to wear one will be arrested, Gov. Wanda Vázquez said.

A curfew from 10pm to 5am will remain in place, and no parties or gatherings will be allowed in short-term rental facilities.

“Until a vaccine is found ... we all have to do our part,” the governor said.

As of Friday morning, Puerto Rico had reported 19,934 coronavirus infections and 258 deaths, with a population of around 3.2 million.

Associated Press contributed to this report