Overview

• A 5.4 magnitude earthquake struck Jamaica near Hope Bay, inciting panic as people fled from buildings and items toppled off grocery store shelves.
• Despite the substantial shaking and some reported building damage, there were no immediate reports of injuries or severe destruction.
• The earthquake interrupted a U.N.'s International Seabed Authority meeting, leading members to postpone the meeting to the late afternoon due to ongoing apprehension.
• While smaller earthquakes occur frequently in Jamaica, larger ones are rare, with significant seismic activities recorded in 1692, 1907, and 1957 causing notable damage and loss of life.
• Jamaica lies on the Enriquillo–Plantain Garden fault zone, shared with Haiti and the Dominican Republic, contributing to the regular seismic activities experienced on the island.