Caribbean: Magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake occurs north of British and US Virgin Islands at around 0305 AST Feb. 6

Event

A magnitude-5.1 offshore earthquake occurred in the North Atlantic Ocean off the British and US Virgin Islands at around 0305 AST Feb. 6. The epicenter was about 93 km (58 miles) north of Charlotte Amalie in the US Virgin Islands. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 20 km (12 miles), and weak shaking was probably felt throughout the British and US Virgin Islands, as well as parts of eastern Puerto Rico, including San Juan. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely in the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.