6.5-magnitude earthquake rattles Leeward Islands

Published October 27th, 2025 - 04:59 GMT
6.5-magnitude earthquake rattles Leeward Islands
This October 13, 2014 NASA GOES Project satellite photo shows Tropical Storm Gonzalo(Lower-R) near the Leeward Islands in the western Atlantic Ocean. Tropical Storm Gonzalo gained strength Monday, prompting hurricane watch advisories for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, forecasters said. The storm was expected to become a hurricane by nighttime or Tuesday, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said in its latest bulletin. AFP
Highlights
Tremors were felt across nearby islands, including Antigua, St. Kitts, and the British Virgin Islands, where residents reported light to moderate shaking.

ALBAWABA- A strong 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck early Monday in the North Atlantic Ocean near the Leeward Islands, shaking much of the eastern Caribbean and briefly prompting tsunami alerts before being lifted. No significant damage or casualties were reported.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) initially measured the quake at 6.8 magnitude before revising it downward. The epicenter was located about 160 kilometers (100 miles) east of La Désirade Island, Guadeloupe, at a shallow depth of 9 kilometers (5.6 miles). 

Tremors were felt across nearby islands, including Antigua, St. Kitts, and the British Virgin Islands, where residents reported light to moderate shaking.

A 6.0-magnitude aftershock followed roughly 16 minutes later, though the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed there was no major tsunami threat, advising only coastal caution.

Authorities across the region are assessing for structural impacts, but as of midday, no major flight or shipping disruptions had been reported.

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