3.9 magnitude earthquake hits Jamaica, no damage reported

Caribbean island nation Jamaica was hit by another minor earthquake on Sunday night. A preliminary report from the earthquake Unit has confirmed that a 3.9 magnitude jolted the island at 9:29 pm local time.

The intensity of the quake was felt in Kingston, St Andrew and St Catherine.

The Earthquake Unit said the epicentre of the quake was located approximately 10km West of Moore Town, Portland., and had a depth of 9km.

There was no report of any damage as a result of the quake.

It's the third minor earthquake to have hit Jamaica in just over a month. In early September, the island was jolted by a 5.2 magnitude earthquake, and about two weeks later the island was hit yet again by a tremor, with a magnitude of 4.6.

A few hours ago Caribbean neighbour, Haiti was rocked by a 5.9 magnitude tremor which has left 14 dead and more than 35 others injured.

5 Facts: Earthquakes In Jamaica

According to the Earthquake Unit at the University of the West Indies, about 200 earthquakes are located in and around Jamaica per year most of which are minor, having magnitudes less than 4.0. Here are five facts about tremors in Jamaica:

1. The dates of Jamaica’s most damaging earthquakes were: 1667, March 1, 1688, June 7, 1692, September 3, 1771, November 11, 1812, April 10, 1824, November 5, 1839, January 14, 1907, August 3, 1914, July 5, 1943, March 1, 1957, January 13, 1993, June 12, 2005. See list for more details about places affected and damage observed.

2. The largest and most damaging natural disaster in Jamaica was the famous Port Royal earthquake of June 7, 1692, It was felt island-wide and a part of Port Royal sank into the sea. It was reported that at least 2,000 persons died as a result of an outbreak of yellow fever, which developed after the quake.

3. On January 14, 1907, the city of Kingston was severely damaged by an earthquake.

4. More than 1,000 people died mostly in the fires following the main shock and aftershocks of the 1907 earthquake. After-shocks continued for the rest of the year.

5. The largest event after 1907 was on March 1, 1957. Buildings and infrastructure in Western Jamaica suffered the most damage and a bit of the Port Royal coast sank into the sea.