Hamilton, Bermuda – A magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck approximately 133 kilometers (83 miles) south of Hamilton, Bermuda late Wednesday night, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The quake occurred at 2:01 a.m. UTC (10:01 p.m. local time Wednesday) at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) beneath the Atlantic Ocean. While no damage or injuries have been reported, the tremor represents a rare seismic event for the Bermuda region, which typically experiences minimal earthquake activity.
According to the USGS National Earthquake Information Center, the quake’s epicenter was well offshore and unlikely to generate a tsunami or cause structural impacts on the island. The event, however, has drawn attention from geologists because of Bermuda’s unusual mid-Atlantic location, far from major tectonic plate boundaries.
Residents of Bermuda have not reported feeling strong shaking, but scientists encourage the public to submit felt reports to help improve regional monitoring.
Experts note that while small offshore quakes occasionally occur near Bermuda, events above magnitude 4.0 are infrequent and typically pose no significant hazard.
