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A minor magnitude 3.5 earthquake struck 59 km N of Culebra, Puerto Rico on Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 03:00:07 AM UTC. This shallow crustal event (16.0 km depth) released energy equivalent to approximately 3 tons of TNT. Here is the verified PR telemetry, live epicenter map, and ground shaking assessment.
(59 km N of)3.5MD
Minor Seismic Class
16.0km
Crustal Layer
18.840° N, 65.301° W
GPS Coordinates
3 tons
TNT Equivalent Power
PR
USGS Real-time Feed
A magnitude 3.5 event is classified as a minor earthquake. Often felt by people indoors, especially on upper floors. Hanging objects may swing slightly; structural damage is extremely rare.
Felt only by a few persons at rest, especially on upper floors.
Felt only by a few persons at rest, especially on upper floors.
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Earthquake strength is measured on a logarithmic scale. Compare this event with the full seismic scale:
Because seismic scales are logarithmic, each whole integer increase represents:
Puerto Rico's seismicity is fundamentally governed by its tectonic setting: Located on the Puerto Rico-Virgin Islands microplate between the North American Plate to the north (Puerto Rico Trench) and Caribbean Plate to the south (Muertos Trough). Major regional fault structures include Puerto Rico Trench, Muertos Trough, Mona Passage Faults, Great Northern Puerto Rico Fault Zone.
Originating at a depth of 16.0 km (Earth's Crust (0–70 km)), this rupture occurred occurred within the brittle upper crust. shallow earthquakes produce the highest peak ground acceleration and the sharpest surface shaking.
Seismologists note that minor aftershocks remain common in the 24 to 48 hours following tremors of magnitude 3.5. According to statistical seismic models, there is roughly a 5% probability of a subsequent event of equal or greater strength occurring in the same fault zone. Residents in Puerto Rico are advised to check living spaces for unsecured items.
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