Countries along the western shore of the Caribbean Sea felt the effects of a strong quake on Tuesday. According to United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter was located about 50 km north east of the Bay Islands (Honduras). The quake reached Magnitude (Mw) 6.0. Shaking was felt along the shores of Honduras, Belize and Yucatan (Mexico) as far as Villahermosa in Tabasco. Mostly medium to weak intensities were reported by people. However, strong, potentially damaging shaking (Intensity VI) can be expected for the eastern most islands of the Bay Island group, although no widespread destruction is expected.

The earthquake originated from the Swan Island Transform Fault Zone, which forms the border between the Caribbean and the North American Plate. No tsunami is expected from a quake with a transform mechanism. A strong quake of Magnitude 7.5 hit the region in January 2018, leading to minor damage and a small tsunami. Today’s quake occurred on the eastern edge of its rupture zone and thus might be a late aftershock.