Earthquakes Shake Hispaniola but No Damage Reported

A 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic early Tuesday, waking residents across the island and neighboring Puerto Rico. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake hit 24 miles southeast of Boca de Yuma at a depth of 104 miles. Despite its strength, no damage or injuries were reported.

Later Monday, a separate 4.1-magnitude quake was felt in Haiti, just outside the capital, Port-au-Prince. It struck at a shallow depth of three miles, but again, no damage was reported.

Both Haiti and the Dominican Republic sit on the intersection of the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates, making the region highly prone to seismic activity. Haiti in particular has suffered catastrophic earthquakes in recent history. A 7.2-magnitude quake in 2021 killed over 2,200 people, and the devastating 7.0 quake in 2010 claimed over 200,000 lives.

While these most recent tremors caused no harm, they serve as stark reminders of the island’s vulnerability and the importance of preparedness.