Puerto Plata.- On Thursday, May 18, the Cibaeños experienced a magnitude 5.2 earthquake that struck at dawn, as reported by the National Seismology Center. The epicenter of the tremor was located in the province of Puerto Plata, specifically in the Altamira region, approximately 17 kilometers away. The earthquake had a depth of 10.2 kilometers.
The effects of the earthquake were felt not only in Puerto Plata but also in other areas of the northern region and Santo Domingo. Reports flooded in through social networks and WhatsApp groups, indicating that the tremor was felt in La Vega, Moca, Fantino, Cotuí, San Francisco de Macorís, Salcedo, Bonao, and other points in the region.
Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries or damage to infrastructure resulting from the earthquake. However, there have been at least six minor aftershocks recorded in Santiago and Puerto Plata, near the location of the initial magnitude 5.2 earthquake.
According to the National Seismology Center’s website, these aftershocks occurred within an hour, specifically between 4:56 am and 5:28 am. The aftershocks were concentrated in Villa González, Santiago, and Puerto Plata.
The first aftershock, with a magnitude of 2.6, occurred at 4:56 am, 15.2 kilometers northeast of Villa González, at a depth of 11.3 kilometers. The second aftershock, measuring 2.7 in magnitude, was recorded at 5:01 am, 14.4 kilometers northeast of Villa González, with a depth of 15 kilometers. At 5:07 am, the third aftershock, with a magnitude of 3.3, occurred 15.2 kilometers northeast of Villa González, reaching a depth of 12.9 kilometers.
Citizens of the northern region and Santo Domingo continued to report feeling the tremors. Another aftershock, measuring 3.0 in magnitude, occurred 14.1 kilometers south of Puerto Plata, with a depth of 15.9 kilometers. The fifth aftershock, with a magnitude of 2.7, occurred at 5:13 am, approximately 15.6 kilometers south of the Puerto Plata municipality. Lastly, at 5:28 am, the sixth aftershock, measuring 2.7 in magnitude, struck 14.2 kilometers northeast of Villa Gonzalez, reaching a depth of 11.7 kilometers.
Once again, northern and Santo Domingo citizens reported feeling these subsequent tremors.