4.6 magnitude earthquake shakes sections of Jamaica

A magnitude 4.6 earthquake was felt across sections of Jamaica on Sunday morning, according to the Earthquake Unit at The University of the West Indies.

The tremor occurred at approximately 8:34 a.m. The unit reported that the epicentre was located about 10 kilometres north-east of Stony Hill in St Andrew, at a focal depth of 16 kilometres.

The quake was reportedly felt in Kingston and St Andrew, St Catherine and other sections of the island. Social media users also said they experienced the tremor in Clarendon and St Mary.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The Earthquake Unit has invited members of the public who felt the tremor to submit reports through its online portal to assist with data collection and assessment.

Sunday’s event follows a magnitude 5.6 earthquake on February 10 that was felt across sections of eastern Jamaica. That quake’s epicentre was located approximately 80 kilometres east of Manchioneal, Portland.

Jamaica experiences frequent seismic activity due to its position near the boundary of the Caribbean and North American tectonic plates. According to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, the island may record up to 200 felt earthquakes in a single year, though most are minor.