From Caribbean360

According to the United States Geological Survey, the magnitude 6.5* earthquake struck northeast of Barbados early Tuesday, jolting thousands from their sleep but causing no reported damage or casualties. (Credit: USGS)

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Tuesday February 18, 2014 – A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck just northeast of Barbados at 5:27am local time, the U.S. Geological Survey reported on Tuesday.

The epicentre was approximately 126 miles to the northeast of Bridgetown at a depth of 20 miles.

Caribbean tsunami warning map above showing most recent earthquake activity however no tsunami warnings were subsequently issued. (Credit: USGS)

Barbados Today, a local media company, reported that residents in several parts of Barbados, including the north and east of the island,  were literally shaken out of their sleep this morning, as a tremor affected the island

The tremors were also felt in St. Lucia.

The attched USGS map highlights reports of where the Caribbean tremor was felt and any subsequent damage. (Credit: USGS)

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties in Barbados or any of the neighbouring islands and Barbadians were advised by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Agency to “go on about your business as usual”.

Some residents on the island didn’t seem to notice the event as indicated by their posts on Twitter.

While other Barbados residents definitely felt the 5:27 am local time tremor.

According to the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre, the last earthquake tremors recorded for Barbados occurred on Decemebr 15 and December 16 last year.

Below are some earthquake saftey tips from the UWI Seismic Research Centre

STAY CALM. DO NOT PANIC. BE ALERT.

If inside stay inside, do not run out of the building.

If inside, stand in a strong doorway or get under a sturdy desk, table or bed and hold on. Do not use elevators or stairs. Move away from windows, mirrors, glass doors, pictures, bookcases, hanging plants and heavy objects.

If outside and there are no obvious signs of danger nearby, stay there.

If outside, stay away from glass buildings, electricity poles, and bridges.

If in a vehicle, do not stop on or under a bridge.

Always look out for falling plaster, bricks, lighting fixtures and other objects.

For more on this story go to: http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/news/barbados_news/1106787.html?utm_source=Caribbean360+Newsletters&utm_campaign=71a344e97e-Vol_9_Issue_035_News2_18_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_350247989a-71a344e97e-39393477#ixzz2tgvDbf65

NOTE: Later reports have stated the earthquake was 6.7 magnitude and not 6.5 as earlier reports

See related story

Emergency officials tell Barbadians not to panic following earthquake

From Caribbean360

Judy Thomas director of the Department of Emergency Management, said in a broadcast that there was only a remote possibility of a small tsunami unlikely to have any major impact on Barbados.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Tuesday February 18, 2014, CMC – Emergency officials have said that Barbadians should not panic in the aftermath of the earthquake that rocked the island early Tuesday.

Judy Thomas director of the Department of Emergency Management, said in a broadcast that there was only a remote possibility of a small tsunami unlikely to have any major impact on the island.

According to the US Geological Services, the earthquake struck just northeast of Barbados at 5:27am local time and measured 6.5 on the richter scale. The tremors lasted for approximately 20 seconds.

“We had an earthquake. One of the things is that a tsunami is triggered by an earthquake and we already had the earthquake and the notification we’ve got told us that there is not an immediate threat,” Thomas said.

“We’ve been talking about global earthquakes which give very us very little warning and but by now we should be getting some sign on the coast … And we can’t confirm those signs and I would think that the question of a tsunami is not immediate,” Thomas said in relation to the possibility of the tsunami.

She was also speaking ahead of Tsunami Month which will be observed next month with the mounting of a public education drive.

Thomas also warned that the Seismic Research Unit in Trinidad had been saying that the region was due for a big disaster ever since the massive earthquake in Haiti in 2010.

Meanwhile, Barbados exchange students studying in Martinique where the earthquake was also felt, are safe.

Nicholas Vaughan, a teacher and head of the Combermere Foreign Language Club reported that the 25 students and chaperones on the trip to Martinique were well.

He said the tremor was felt there around 5:25 a.m. and lasted about 55 seconds. The students from first to sixth form were in bed at the time of the tremor.

The quake was also felt in St. Lucia and Dominica.

For more on this story go to: http://www.caribbean360.com/index.php/news/barbados_news/1106789.html?utm_source=Caribbean360+Newsletters&utm_campaign=71a344e97e-Vol_9_Issue_035_News2_18_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_350247989a-71a344e97e-39393477#ixzz2thPKmOYy