A magnitude 3.1 earthquake was recorded early Thursday near Bonao, a city in Monseñor Nouel Province in central Dominican Republic, according to the National Seismology Center at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), the country’s leading institution for seismic monitoring.
The seismic event occurred at 5:34 a.m. and had a depth of 75.3 kilometers (46.8 miles). Its epicenter was located approximately 5.6 kilometers (3.5 miles) north-northwest of Bonao, at coordinates 18.982 latitude and -70.422 longitude.
Authorities said there have been no reports of injuries or material damage linked to the earthquake. Officials continue to monitor the situation, although no emergency measures have been announced.
Dominican Republic Remains in an Active Seismic Zone
The Dominican Republic is located in one of the Caribbean’s most seismically active regions due to the interaction between the Caribbean and North American tectonic plates. As a result, earthquakes of varying magnitudes are recorded regularly across the country, with specialized agencies maintaining continuous monitoring.
Authorities Urge Residents to Stay Prepared
Although this earthquake caused no known damage, emergency officials encourage residents to remain prepared for future seismic activity. Recommended precautions include checking the condition of homes and buildings, identifying evacuation routes, and maintaining a family emergency plan.
Authorities also advise the public to rely exclusively on official updates from the Center of Emergency Operations (COE), the Dominican Civil Defense, and the National Seismology Center. If aftershocks occur, people are encouraged to move away from windows, shelves, and other objects that could fall, seek a safe location, and avoid sharing unverified information that could create unnecessary alarm.