Significant M5.9 Earthquake hit in the North Atlantic Ocean 148km from La Romana (Dominican Republic) on Tuesday Night.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on February 25th, 2025. Last updated March 3rd, 2025.

In the North Atlantic Ocean 148 kilometer from La Romana, Dominican Republic, a significant Magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred in the night of Tuesday February 25th, 2025. Shaking may have been felt by a total of 6.1 million people. Another nearby country is Puerto Rico.

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Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the North Atlantic Ocean, 90 kilometers (56 mi) off the coast of Dominican Republic, 148 kilometer north-east of La Romana. The center of this earthquake had a quite shallow depth of 46 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Feb 25, 2025 01:48AM (Santo Domingo Time) - Feb 25, 2025 05:48 Universal Time.
Location:	148 km NE of La Romana, Dominican Republic. Coordinates 19°27'23"N 68°5'5"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.9 Detected by 31 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.06 .
Depth:	46 km (29 mi) A quite shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	IV Light On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Low tsunami risk Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 do not usually cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 96% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 6.1 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 6.1 million people. That is the expected population size of the area exposed to a level of shaking of II or higher on the Modified Mercalli scale according to the USGS.

An estimated 183,500 people were exposed to level IV. At this level, light shaking and likely no damage can be expected. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 5.8 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Dominican Republic , around 4.2 million people, with impact levels up to IV (light shaking, likely no damage). In Puerto Rico , around 1.9 million people.

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico are both within 300km distance of its epicenter. Futher away, this earthquake may also have been felt in U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands.

The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Punta Cana in La Altagracia, Dominican Republic. Punta Cana is located 103 kilometer (64 mi) north-northeast of the epicenter. Punta Cana experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly III. That level implies weak shaking and probably no damage.

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Santo Domingo is located 219 km to the west-southwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Santiago de los Caballeros is located 274 km to the west (intensity unknown, possibly low). Santo Domingo Este is located 215 km to the west-southwest and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The graph below overlays a map of the region around the epicenter with earthquake intensity data provided by the US Geographic Survey. The highest intensity level detected for this earthquake is IV.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 140 people

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 140 people have reported shaking in 10 places, all within Dominican Republic.We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Otra Banda, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic: 73 people.
• Boca de Yuma, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic: 28 people.
• Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic: 27 people.
• El Carril, San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic: 6 people.
• Hato Mayor, Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic: 1 person.
• Higüey, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic: 1 person.
• La Romana, La Romana, Dominican Republic: 1 person.
• Puerto Plata, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic: 1 person.
• Las Terrenas, Samaná, Dominican Republic: 1 person.
• San Pedro de Macorís, San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic: 1 person.

18 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 18 smaller aftershocks. A 3.9 magnitude earthquake hit 11 hrs later 9 km (5 mi) north-northwest of this earthquake.

This main shock was prefaced by 4 smaller foreshocks. A 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit 3 sec earlier nearby.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

The risk of aftershocks decreases rapidly over time. Usually, aftershocks are at least one order of magnitude lower than a main shock.

In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major earthquake.

This is the strongest earthquake in 5 years

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since January 11th, 2020, when a 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit 212 km (132 mi) further south-east. An even stronger magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck on January 7th, 2020.

In total, 3 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.9 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 3 years.

Low tsunami risk

Based on early data it appears this earthquake was not strong enough (lower than MAG-6.5) to be likely to cause destructive tsunami's. However this earthquake appeared to have hit at a shallow depth under sea, so stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 03/03/25 23:58 (). This article contains currently available information about the earthquake and is automatically composed. We continue to update this article up to a few days after the earthquake occurred.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake pr2025056002
2. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
3. Google Maps: Static API
4. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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