A magnitude 4.8 earthquake was felt across Puerto Rico on Thursday night, prompting the director of the Puerto Rico Seismic Network, Víctor Huérfano, to emphasize the importance of preparation. The earthquake occurred at 10:42 PM about 60 kilometers northwest of Aguadilla, in the Mona Canyon area, and had a depth of approximately 10 kilometers. Huérfano stated that the earthquake was perceived throughout the island, with over 500 reports from citizens, and that it did not cause damage or trigger tsunami protocols.
He noted that the event is not unusual for the area, but serves as a reminder that Puerto Rico is in a seismically active region and that preparation is crucial. Huérfano recommended that families have a plan of action and that preparation extends to communities, workplaces, and public institutions. He also mentioned that an updated seismic hazard map for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands was presented in May, providing more detailed information on the loads that infrastructure should withstand during a seismic event.