ST. THOMAS — A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck the northeastern Caribbean early Sunday morning, shaking buildings and startling residents across the U.S. Virgin Islands and surrounding territories. The tremor occurred at approximately 2:58 a.m. and was felt most intensely on St. Thomas, where residents reported the shaking lasted for about 20 seconds in some areas.
According to seismic data, the earthquake’s epicenter was located roughly 74 kilometers northwest of the British Virgin Islands. It was strong enough to be felt across a broad region, including the British Virgin Islands, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Caribbean Netherlands, Saint Barthélemy, and Anguilla.
Shortly after the event, the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) issued the following advisory:
“An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.1 occurred about miles northwest of Saint Thomas at 2:59 a.m. AST on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Based on all available data… there is no tsunami threat to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or the British Virgin Islands from this earthquake. People may have experienced shaking from the earthquake.”
While the U.S. Geological Survey has preliminarily classified the quake as magnitude 5.4, VITEMA’s advisory referenced an initial reading of 5.1, which is common in the early stages of earthquake reporting as agencies calibrate data from different sensors.
There have been no immediate reports of structural damage or injuries within the Virgin Islands. Emergency officials have not issued any tsunami warnings, and the situation is being monitored closely for possible aftershocks or additional seismic activity.
Authorities are urging residents to remain alert, check their properties for damage, and report any safety concerns to local emergency services.
British Caribbean News
