Earthquake Strikes Jamaica, Magnitude 4.2

Sections of island nation shaken, no immediate reports of damage or injuries

4.2 magnitude quake near Hope Bay

KINGSTON, Jamaica - A moderate earthquake of preliminary magnitude 4.2 shook sections of western and central Jamaica on Monday, the Earthquake Unit at the University of the West Indies, Mona, reported.

The quake occurred near Hope Bay, a small settlement on the Caribbean island nation's northern coast, at 11:18 a.m. local time (1518 GMT), and was felt by many people.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, according to the Jamaica Information Service. However, the quake was felt throughout the country and even led to some buildings being evacuated in the capital, Kingston.

• Magnitude: 4.2
• Location: Near Hope Bay, Jamaica
• Time: 11:18 a.m. local time (1518 GMT)
• Felt: Throughout Jamaica
• Damage/Injuries: No immediate reports

The quake was also felt in neighboring Cuba, according to the Cuban Seismological Service.

Jamaica is located in a seismically active region and experiences occasional earthquakes. The last major earthquake to hit the island was a 7.6 magnitude temblor in 1957 that caused widespread damage and killed more than 100 people.