Dec. 19, 2007 — An earthquake that registered 5.4 on the Richter Scale shook the Virgin Islands at 9:57 p.m. Tuesday.
"I felt it," said Joseph Hodge, communications officer at the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency. "It was a mild shaking, but a couple of things fell off the shelf."
By 11:50 p.m., 27 aftershocks were recorded, including one that measured 4.1 on the Richter Scale. The earthquake was centered at 19.1 degrees north latitude and 64.7 degrees west longitude, or about 40 miles northwest of Anegada, according to the Puerto Rico Seismic Network's website. It occurred 24 miles below the earth's surface.
Steve Parris, acting VITEMA director, said he was driving when the earthquake occurred, so he didn't feel it.
"If you felt it when you were driving, we would be in trouble," he said. "It would be a catastrophe."
Earthquakes like the one Tuesday are usually only felt by people who aren't moving, he said. The distance from the territory and the quake's depth also explain why not everyone felt the earthquake, Parris said.
So far this year, 2,171 earthquakes have occurred in the region. December has had 70 earthquakes. An earthquake that registered 7.4 on the Richter scale and caused damage on Martinique and neighboring islands occurred Nov. 29. Residents said it was felt for about a minute on St. Thomas and St. John.
This latest earthquake should remind residents that they live in a seismically active area, Parris said. However, people should be prepared for any emergency, whether it's a hurricane or other disaster, he said. He also urged residents not to drink and drive over the holiday season.
"Or you'll create your own mini-disaster," he said.
Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.