On Friday, a 4.1 magnitude earthquake occurred with its epicenter located 12.3 kilometers southwest of Maimón near Piedra Blanca in the province of Monseñor Nouel. The National Center for Seismology reported that the tremor took place at 11:36 a.m. and was felt in areas of the National District.
The earthquake had a depth of 104.3 kilometers, with coordinates at latitude 18.822 and longitude -70.349.
Geologist Osiris de León explained that the epicenter of the earthquake was in the bed of the Yuna River within the fault zone of the inland thrust of Hatillo. He reassured the public that this is a local fault and not a regional one, emphasizing that there is no need for concern.
De León previously clarified that the Dominican Republic has 14 seismically active faults, but only two of them have the potential to generate devastating earthquakes. These two faults are the one on the Atlantic Coast located north of Puerto Plata and west of Montecristi, as well as the Enriquillo fault that passes south of Santo Domingo, Barahona, Duvergé, and Jimaní.
He further explained that earthquakes occurring along the interior faults are tremors that release energy and are part of normal seismic activity. The faults that do not extend beyond the island cause small tremors, while the Atlantic Coast and Enriquillo faults accumulate regional elastic energy, reaching as far as Mexico, Guatemala, and Puerto Rico.
Overall, there is no significant cause for alarm, and the recent earthquake is part of the natural seismicity of the region.