From September 27 to November 13, 2026, seven significant earthquakes, including one aftershock, have been reported in different parts of the country and its surroundings
SANTO DOMINGO.– A magnitude 5.3 earthquake recorded this Friday, November 13, at 12:36 p.m., south of El Seibo province, raised to seven the seismic events highlighted in the reports examined during the last 47 days, from September 27 to date, a period in which different locations in the Dominican Republic have experienced tremors of varying intensities.
The most recent phenomenon had its epicenter 6.9 kilometers south of El Seibo, at an approximate depth of 128.2 kilometers, according to the preliminary report of the National Seismological Center of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD).
At the time of the information provided, the Emergency Operations Center (COE) and relief agencies had not offered reports on casualties or damage to infrastructure as a result of the movement.
This new episode occurred just nine days after the two tremors recorded on Wednesday, November 4, in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, east of Miches, and 47 days after the day of September 27, when four seismic movements were reported in different parts of the national territory.
El Seibo registers another earthquake of magnitude greater than 5.0
This Friday's tremor represents the second movement of magnitude greater than 5.0 among the seven events examined, both located in the vicinity of El Seibo province.
The first occurred on Sunday, September 27, when a magnitude 5.6 earthquake was recorded at 5:49:46 p.m., with its epicenter approximately 5.6 kilometers southwest of Albizu and a depth of 108 kilometers.
47 days passed between the two phenomena, although no direct relationship has been established between these events.
According to preliminary reports, the September event was felt in different locations across the country, but initial assessments by emergency agencies did not identify any significant damage.
Meanwhile, Friday's earthquake reached a greater depth of 128.2 kilometers and was also felt in different areas of the Dominican territory.
Miches recorded two seismic movements nine days earlier
On Wednesday, November 4, nine days before the most recent tremor, a magnitude 4.5 earthquake occurred in the Atlantic Ocean, approximately 104 kilometers east of Miches.
According to records from the National Seismological Center, the phenomenon occurred at 12:57 p.m., at a depth of 10 kilometers.
Subsequently, just 13 minutes later, at 1:10 p.m., a 2.4 magnitude aftershock was recorded in the same area.
Seismic data analyst Queiroz Portorreal then reported that he received reports from citizens who felt the movement in different locations.
These two events occurred 38 days after the seismic event of September 27, during which four tremors were reported.
Four tremors were reported on September 27
The chronology of the movements examined begins on Sunday, September 27, when four seismic phenomena were recorded in an approximate interval of 16 hours.
The first one occurred around 1:45 in the morning, with a magnitude of 1.9 and an epicenter about 4.2 kilometers north of Santiago de los Caballeros.
Hours later, at 6:06 a.m., monitoring stations identified a preliminary magnitude 4.1 earthquake near Bohechío, San Juan province, with an estimated depth of 10 kilometers.
One minute later, at 6:07, another tremor occurred, whose magnitude was initially calculated to be between 4.3 and 4.6.
Although initial reports placed this latest movement near San Antonio de Guerra and Bayaguana, later reports from the National Seismological Center preliminarily located its epicenter 11.9 kilometers north-northwest of Bohechío.
The phenomenon was observed in different areas of Greater Santo Domingo and other locations.
Finally, at 5:49:46 in the afternoon, the 5.6 magnitude earthquake was recorded near El Seibo, considered the largest magnitude among the seven events included in this chronology.
Seven notable seismic events in 47 days
By chronologically ordering the events reported between September 27 and November 13, 2026, seven seismic phenomena were identified, distributed over three days, with magnitudes ranging from 1.9 to 5.6.
- September 27, 1:45 am: Earthquake of magnitude 1.9, with epicenter about 4.2 kilometers north of Santiago de los Caballeros.
- September 27, 6:06 am: Preliminary magnitude 4.1 earthquake, recorded near the municipality of Bohechío, San Juan province, at an estimated depth of 10 kilometers.
- September 27, 6:07 am: Seismic movement of preliminary magnitude between 4.3 and 4.6, whose epicenter was later located 11.9 kilometers north-northwest of Bohechío.
- September 27, 5:49 pm: A magnitude 5.6 earthquake occurred approximately 5.6 kilometers southwest of Albizu, El Seibo province, at a depth of 108 kilometers. It was the strongest of the seven events examined.
- November 4, 12:57 pm: Earthquake of magnitude 4.5, recorded in the Atlantic Ocean, about 104 kilometers east of Miches, with a depth of 10 kilometers.
- November 4, 1:10 pm: Aftershock of magnitude 2.4, occurring just 13 minutes after the previous movement, in the same area east of Miches.
- November 13, 12:36 pm: A magnitude 5.3 earthquake struck, with its epicenter 6.9 kilometers south of El Seibo and an approximate depth of 128.2 kilometers. The tremor was felt in various locations throughout the country.
How many days passed between the movements?
The chronology allows us to identify three days of outstanding seismic activity during the analyzed period:
- September 27: four movements recorded in approximately 16 hours.
- November 4: two phenomena, including an aftershock, occurred 38 days after the first day.
- November 13: a new earthquake of magnitude 5.3, produced nine days after the events recorded east of Miches.
In total, 47 days passed between the first notable movement on September 27 and the most recent one on November 13, 2026.
This count comprises seven prominent movements in the information examined and does not represent all the events recorded by the National Seismological Center during that period.
Seismic activity causes concern among residents
The movements recorded during this period have caused concern among residents of various localities, particularly due to the intensity with which some were perceived.
During the events of September, citizens temporarily left homes and establishments as a precautionary measure.
The situation was also evident in public spaces, including the International Book Fair, where some people temporarily evacuated the premises after feeling the tremors.
In response to these incidents, emergency agencies have reiterated the importance of remaining calm, identifying safe places, and following the guidance of the relevant authorities.
It should be noted that the magnitudes, depths and locations of some of the movements included in this compilation correspond to preliminary reports and may be modified by specialized agencies after completing their assessments.
Likewise, the occurrence of several tremors during a given period does not, in itself, mean that there is a relationship between them nor does it allow us to anticipate the occurrence of a larger earthquake.
Recommended readings:
- The Dominican Republic has recorded six seismic events in 38 days, including a 4.5 magnitude tremor north of Miches this Wednesday
- These are the most vulnerable areas in the Dominican Republic in the event of an earthquake, according to Civil Defense
- The COE will conduct an earthquake drill this Tuesday and test the alert system throughout the country
