A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck offshore near Mantua, Cuba, on Monday afternoon, briefly turning a normal workday in Central and North Florida into something out of a disaster drill. Residents from living rooms to office cubicles reported a quick rolling motion that rattled shelves and set light fixtures swaying. Local newsrooms logged dozens of calls, emails, and messages from people describing a short "wave" or rumble. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage in Florida.
USGS Records The Quake Near Mantua
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake registered a magnitude 6.1 with a preliminary epicenter near Mantua, Cuba. Analysts with the agency note that the initial magnitude and location could be adjusted as more seismic data come in and are reviewed.
Reports From Orlando To Jacksonville
FOX 35 Orlando reported that its newsroom was hit with a stream of messages about tremors and a "wave" felt across Central Florida, including in Orlando and communities to the north. Viewers described desks that swayed, pictures that rattled on the wall, and backyard pool water that briefly sloshed.
NWS: No Tsunami Threat
The National Weather Service office in Jacksonville took to social media to tamp down fears, saying there was no tsunami threat for Northeast Florida. NWS Jacksonville said it had received shaking reports from as far north as Jacksonville and reminded residents to rely on official channels for alerts and to avoid sharing unverified claims.
Why Floridians Felt The Tremors
Seismic waves from shallow offshore quakes can travel long distances through the Earth's crust, so a strong event near Cuba can still be felt in Florida even when the epicenter is hundreds of miles away. WUSF notes that a 2006 Gulf of Mexico earthquake produced similar far-reaching shaking that knocked items off shelves and caused "seiches" in swimming pools without leading to significant damage.
How To Report What You Felt
Scientists are asking anyone who felt the shaking to share their experience through the "Did You Feel It?" tool, which helps map how strongly different areas were affected. To submit a report, visit the U.S. Geological Survey and then keep an eye on local emergency accounts for any further updates.
This story will be updated as agencies publish refined seismic data and any information on local impacts. If you are in Florida and felt the tremors, follow guidance from local emergency officials and act only on information from verified, official sources.
