M5.1 Earthquake 155 km N of Arecibo, Puerto Rico — February 19, 2026
2026-02-19 14:18:06 UTC (2026-02-19) · approx. 10:18 AM UTC-4 local
Felt by 42 people across nearby locations.
On February 19, 2026 at 14:18 UTC, a magnitude 5.1 shallow crustal earthquake struck 155 km N of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, at a depth of 34.0 km and coordinates 19.8711°, -66.5455°. This earthquake was detected by 32 seismic stations with moderate location accuracy and was assigned a USGS significance rating of 418, placing it among routine seismic activity.
Physical scale: An earthquake of magnitude 5.1 releases seismic energy equivalent to roughly 674 metric tons of TNT. Empirical fault-scaling laws (Wells & Coppersmith, 1994) estimate the subsurface rupture length at approximately 2.0 km — a useful intuition for the size of the slip patch on the fault.
The epicenter is located in Puerto Rico, a region characterized by the Puerto Rico Trench oblique subduction zone and the Muertos Trough, with complex Caribbean–North American plate interactions. The nearest mapped fault system is the Puerto Rico Trench. View all earthquakes in Puerto Rico.
Learn more: Magnitude scale · Aftershock sequences
Did You Feel It? — community-reported shaking
Aggregated felt-report intensity from 42 citizen responses to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Each colored zone represents the average MMI from reports in that area.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey Did You Feel It?. View on USGS · submit your own report
Earthquake Details
-66.5455°E
Technical Information
Nearby Earthquakes (Last 7 Days)
Common Questions
How strong was the magnitude 5.1 earthquake near Arecibo, Puerto Rico?
The magnitude 5.1 earthquake that struck 155 km N of Arecibo, Puerto Rico on February 19, 2026 at 14:18 UTC had a depth of 34.0 km. For context, this was a moderate earthquake that could be widely felt.
Where did the earthquake occur?
The earthquake epicenter was located at 19.8711°, -66.5455°, which is 155 km N of Arecibo, Puerto Rico. View all earthquakes in Puerto Rico.
Were there aftershocks?
Aftershock activity is monitored continuously by the USGS. Aftershock sequences from magnitude 5.1 earthquakes can continue for days to weeks and gradually diminish over time.
Has Puerto Rico had earthquakes this big before?
The largest recorded earthquake in Puerto Rico was the M7.3 offshore earthquake of October 11, 1918. Today's magnitude 5.1 event is significantly smaller than that historical record.
What should I do after an earthquake?
If you were in the affected area: check yourself and others for injuries, inspect your home for damage, and be prepared for aftershocks. For detailed guidance, see our earthquake safety guide and emergency planning resources.
Authoritative source: USGS event page (event ID: pr2026050001). All scientific values on this page are sourced verbatim from the USGS feed.
Cite this page: EarthquakeTracker.org. (2026, February 19, 2026). M5.1 Earthquake 155 km N of Arecibo, Puerto Rico — February 19, 2026. Retrieved May 13, 2026 from https://www.earthquaketracker.org/earthquakes/event/pr2026050001/