1946 Dominican Republic earthquake

1946 Dominican Republic earthquake
The Septentrional-Oriente fault zone in the Caribbean and across Hispaniola
1946 Dominican Republic earthquake is located in the Dominican Republic
1946 Dominican Republic earthquake
UTC time 1946-08-04 17:51:10
ISC event 898498
USGS-ANSS ComCat
Local date August 4, 1946
Local time 13:51
Magnitude 7.8 Mw
8.1 Ms
Depth 15.0 km (9.3 mi)
Epicenter 19°12′00″N 69°18′58″W
Areas affected Dominican Republic
Max. intensity IX (Violent)
Peak acceleration 0.4 g (est)
Tsunami Yes
Casualties 2,550

The 1946 Dominican Republic earthquake occurred on August 4 at 17:51 UTC near Samaná, Dominican Republic. The mainshock measured 7.8 on the moment magnitude scale and 8.1 on the surface wave magnitude scale. An aftershock occurred four days later on August 8 at 13:28 UTC with a moment magnitude of 7.0. A tsunami was generated by the initial earthquake and caused widespread devastation across Hispaniola. The tsunami was observed in much of the Caribbean and the northwestern Atlantic Ocean.

A small tsunami was also recorded by tide gauges at San Juan in Puerto Rico, Bermuda and in the United States at Daytona Beach, Florida and Atlantic City, New Jersey.

See also