Caribbean: Magnitude-5.8 offshore earthquake occurs in North Atlantic Ocean off Guadeloupe at around 00:51 AST March 26

Event

A magnitude-5.8 offshore earthquake occurred in the North Atlantic Ocean east of Guadeloupe at around 00:51 AST March 26. The epicenter was about 50 km (31 miles) north-northeast of Beausejour. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 26 km (16 miles), and weak-to-light shaking was probably felt throughout the eastern regions of the Caribbean, including Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Guadeloupe, and Montserrat. 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 possible over 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.