Strong M6.2 earthquake hits Guadeloupe at intermediate depth
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.2 hit near the west coast of Guadeloupe at 11:23 UTC on January 20, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 165 km (102 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth.
The epicenter was located 40.8 km (25.4 miles) WSW of Pointe-Noire (population 7 749), 47.8 km (29.7 miles) WNW of Basse-Terre (population 11 472), and 54 km (33.5 miles) WSW of Sainte-Rose (population 20 192), Guadeloupe.
643 000 people are estimated to have felt light shaking.
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are informal (metal, timber, GI etc.) and rubble/field stone masonry construction.
There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
Featured image credit: TW/SAM, Google
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