No, you’re not going crazy if you felt the ground shake this afternoon! The National Weather Service has confirmed that a 6.1 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of western Cuba at around 2 p.m. today, reportedly sending tremors as far north as Florida.
The quake, initially reported to have a 6.4 magnitude before being downgraded by the U.S. Geological Survey, was recorded in the Gulf about 65 miles west-northwest of Mantua, Pinar del Rio. The National Tsunami Warning Center reports there is no tsunami threat as a result of the earthquake.
Floridians react to the earthquake
Many Florida residents and visitors who felt the shaking took to social media to share their reactions:
And, as expected, the jokes are rolling in:
How did Florida feel it?
Since earthquakes are so rare in Florida, the news caused quite a rumbling. The state itself — not located near any tectonic plate boundaries — isn’t prone to earthquakes although it can act like a conductor for seismic activity happening elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Because the earthquake originated hundreds of miles away, the shaking residents felt was mostly described as mild unlike the destructive jolting you might see near an epicenter. Walt Disney World in Central Florida even felt the jolt, with the My Disney Experience app reportedly showing that several attractions are unavailable. While Disney has not confirmed that the earthquake caused the closures, temporarily shutting down rides to perform safety inspections is a standard operating procedure for theme parks.
Despite the surprising seismic activity, emergency officials across Florida have confirmed there was no structural damage or tsunami threat to the coastlines.
