Tue | Feb 10, 2026

'Moderate' 5.6 earthquake shakes eastern Jamaica

Published:Tuesday | February 10, 2026 | 9:37 AM
A graphic shared by the Earthquake Unit at The University of the West Indies, Mona, shows the epicentre of the magnitude 5.6 earthquake located about 80 kilometres east of Manchionel, Portland, on February 10, 2026. 
-Contributed photo
A graphic shared by the Earthquake Unit at The University of the West Indies, Mona, shows the epicentre of the magnitude 5.6 earthquake located about 80 kilometres east of Manchionel, Portland, on February 10, 2026. 

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake was felt across sections of eastern Jamaica early Tuesday morning, marking the latest in a series of tremors recorded in recent weeks.

The "moderate quake" occurred at about 3:18 a.m., with its epicentre located approximately 80 kilometres east of Manchionel, Portland, according to the Earthquake Unit at The University of the West Indies, Mona.

Persons have reported feeling a tremor in Kingston and St Andrew, St Thomas and St Catherine.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries up to early Tuesday morning.

This is the latest in a series of earthquakes that have been felt in recent weeks.

The Earthquake Unit has also reported tremors on February 8 and January 30, 28, 26, 21, 16 and 9.

Jamaica may record up to about 200 felt earthquakes in a single year, although most are small and may not be felt, according to information about earthquakes in Jamaica on the website of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.

It noted that the island experiences significant seismic activity, with Jamaica situated near the boundary of the Caribbean Plate interacting with the North American Plate, a key driver of earthquakes in the region.

Last month, the Earthquake Unit reported more than 400 earthquakes in and around Jamaica during 2025, including several that were felt across different parishes.

Scientific Officer at the unit, Karleen Black told JIS News that of the earthquakes recorded, 122 were classified as near events, including seismic activity affecting neighbouring territories such as the Cayman Islands, Cuba and Haiti, while 280 were recorded locally and were distributed across the island.

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