3.6

M3.6 Earthquake 7 km WSW of Fuig, Puerto Rico — July 3, 2020

2020-07-03 21:17:39 UTC (2020-07-03) · approx. 5:17 PM UTC-4 local

MagnitudeM3.6(md)
Time21:17 UTC≈ 5:17 PM UTC-4
Depth6.0 kmshallow crustal
Coordinates17.964°, -66.979°
Felt by2DYFI responses· max MMI 3.4
Status✓ Reviewed by USGS· green PAGER
green Alert— no significant casualties or damage expected

On July 3, 2020 at 21:17 UTC, a magnitude 3.6 shallow crustal earthquake struck 7 km WSW of Fuig, Puerto Rico, at a depth of 6.0 km and coordinates 17.9640°, -66.9786°. The earthquake was reported felt by 2 peopleacross nearby locations, with a maximum shaking intensity of Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) 3.4 (light). The nearest populated place is La Parguera (population 1,141).

Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 3.6 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 4.3 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 196 m — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.

Map showing earthquake epicenter at 17.96°, -66.98°

ShakeMap — predicted shaking intensity

Modeled ground-motion intensity contoured on the Modified Mercalli scale (MMI). Computed by the USGS from the moment-tensor solution and regional ground-motion prediction equations.

USGS ShakeMap intensity contours for the M3.6 earthquake near 7 km WSW of Fuig, Puerto Rico

Source: U.S. Geological Survey ShakeMap. View interactive ShakeMap on USGS

Did You Feel It? — community-reported shaking

Aggregated felt-report intensity from 2 citizen responses to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Each colored zone represents the average MMI from reports in that area.

USGS DYFI community-reported intensity map for the M3.6 earthquake near 7 km WSW of Fuig, Puerto Rico

Source: U.S. Geological Survey Did You Feel It?. View on USGS · submit your own report

Population exposure (USGS PAGER)

Estimated population that experienced each level of shaking. Based on the USGS PAGER rapid impact assessment, which combines ShakeMap output with global population grids.

Shaking intensity (MMI)DescriptionPopulation exposed
MMI 3weak251,183

Earthquake Details

Magnitude
3.6 md
Depth
6.0 km
shallow crustal
Location
17.9640°N
-66.9786°E
Felt Reports
2
DYFI responses
Intensity (MMI)
3.4
light
Community Intensity
3.8
CDI from reports

Technical Information

Event ID
pr2020185015
Event Type
earthquake
Status
✓ Reviewed
Significance
205
Stations Used
21
Azimuthal Gap
186.0°
Min Station Distance
0.066°
RMS Residual
0.18 sec
Last Updated
2020-09-11 22:14:04 UTC

Common Questions

How strong was the magnitude 3.6 earthquake near Fuig, Puerto Rico?

The magnitude 3.6 earthquake that struck 7 km WSW of Fuig, Puerto Rico on July 3, 2020 at 21:17 UTC had a depth of 6.0 km. It was felt by 2 people with maximum shaking intensity of MMI 3.4 (light). For context, this was a minor earthquake typically detected only by instruments.

Were there aftershocks?

Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 3.6 earthquakes can continue for several days and gradually diminish over time.

Understanding This Data

Magnitude 3.6 earthquakes are typically only recorded by instruments.

Learn more about magnitude →

Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: pr2020185015). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.

Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2020, July 3, 2020). M3.6 Earthquake 7 km WSW of Fuig, Puerto Rico — July 3, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/pr2020185015/