The United States Geological Survey recorded
a Magnitude 4.8 Earthquake at a depth of 11.0 km roughly 5 km to the southwest of the town of Guánica in southern Puerto Rico, slightly after 2.40 am local time (slightly after 6.40 am GMT) on Sunday 28 June 2020 .
There are no reports of any
casualties or serious damage, though the quake was felt across the whole of Peurto Rico, as well as parts of the neighbouring Dominican Republic.
The approximate location of the 28 June 2020 Puerto Rico Earthquake. USGS.
Puerto Rico is located at the northeastern fringe of the Caribbean Tectonic Plate. The Atlantic Plate (strictly speaking, an extension of the South American Plate which runs to the northeast of the Caribbean) is being subducted beneath this. The subduction of the Atlantic Plate beneath the Caribbean Plate is not a smooth process, with the two plates constantly sticking together then breaking apart as the tectonic pressure builds up, causing Earthquakes in the process, though since the boundary between the two plates is some way to the north and east of the islands, Earthquakes in this area tend to be both deep and offshore, which lessens their destructive potential.
The subduction of the Atlantic Plate beneath the Caribbean Plate fuels the volcanoes of the Lesser Antilles Volcanic Arc. George Pararas-Carayannis.
Witness
accounts of quakes can help geologists to understand these events and
the rock structures that cause them. If you felt this quake (or if you
were in the area but did not, which is also useful information) you can
report it to the USGS here.
See also...
Follow Sciency Thoughts on Facebook.
