Strong Quake Strikes Cayman Islands Region

Earthquake Measuring up to 6.1 Mw Strikes Near Cayman Islands

Strong earthquake measuring up to M6.1 struck offshore near Cayman Islands about 70 km (45 miles) ESE of George Town,  Cayman Islands and about 880 km WNW of the powerful earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince 8 days ago. The quake struck at a depth of about 10km on January 19, 2010 at 14:24 UTC.

Tsunami Report

There were no report of a tsunami in the area caused by this event.

Damage Report

The earthquake reportedly shook buildings in George town but there was no report of damage or injuries.

Previous Quakes

Grand Cayman was struck by a 6.8 Mw earthquake on December 14, 2004, three months after Hurricane Ivan had already raked the island. However, the quake caused only minor structural damage to some buildings.

FEWW Earthquake Forecast:

The Gonave Microplate, near the boundaries of which this earthquake occurred, could produce more seismicity in 2010, with possibly another powerful quake measuring 7.4 to 7.6Mw striking its southern boundary.  Kingston, Jamaica could experience a powerful quake with a probability of 65 percent.

10-degree Map Centered at 20°N,80°W

Earthquake Location map. Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by FEWW. (Click Images to enlarge).

Seismic Hazard Map showing the west side  end of the Gonave Microplate. USGS/EHP. Click image to enlarge.

Seismic Hazard Map of Haiti Region showing the east side of the Gonave Microplate, which is sandwiched between the North American and the Caribbean Plates .Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by FEWW. Click image to enlarge.

Earthquake Details

• Magnitude: 5.8 [EQ magnitude estimated by FEWW: 6.1 Mw – USGS/EHP routinely downgrades earthquakes by about 0.3 Mw]
• Date-Time:
  • Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 14:23:38 UTC
  • Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 09:23:38 AM at epicenter
• Location: 19.020°N, 80.779°W
• Depth: 10 km (6.2 miles)
• Region: CAYMAN ISLANDS REGION
• Distances:
  • 70 km (45 miles) ESE of GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands
  • 305 km (190 miles) WNW of Montego Bay, Jamaica
  • 345 km (215 miles) S of Cienfuegos, Cuba
  • 750 km (465 miles) S of Miami, Florida
  • 880 km WNW of the powerful earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince on January 12, 2010
• Location Uncertainty:  horizontal +/- 4.2 km (2.6 miles); depth fixed by location program
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2010rrbc

Related Links:

• Haiti Quake Causes Widespread Death, Destruction
• Haiti Earthquake Disaster Links Page!

• FEWW Volcano Links
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