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Note:This page contains AI-generated content for informational and entertainment purposes only. It may contain inaccuracies. Raw event data is from USGS and EMSC. All statistics, lists, and derived information are generated by this site. Full disclaimerFound an error?
Location:
2 km S of Palomas, Puerto Rico
Period:
21 Mar 2022 03:20:49 - 9 Apr 2022 08:58:58 (19 days 5 hours 38 minutes)
Volcanoes in 100km radius:
None
Earthquakes:
207
20 swarms found nearby.
2018
S20181215.1(15.6km)
14 Dec
4 days 6 hours
109 earthquakes
2019
28 Dec
244 days 6 hours
9147 earthquakes
2020
S20200107.1(12.2km)
7 Jan
1 day 21 hours
53 earthquakes
1 May
2 days 18 hours
36 earthquakes
6 Oct
22 days 9 hours
229 earthquakes
17 Nov
35 days 20 hours
447 earthquakes
23 Dec
46 days 11 hours
2842 earthquakes
2021
S20210108.1(22.9km)
7 Jan
13 days 20 hours
148 earthquakes
29 Jan
2 days 1 hours
29 earthquakes
24 Jun
6 days 15 hours
127 earthquakes
S20210718.1(25.2km)
17 Jul
3 days 1 hours
37 earthquakes
2022
1 Feb
37 days 20 hours
630 earthquakes
S20220424.1(12.6km)
23 Apr
17 days 11 hours
189 earthquakes
5 Aug
13 days 6 hours
262 earthquakes
2023
14 Mar
6 days 9 hours
92 earthquakes
S20230409.1(10.8km)
8 Apr
10 days 15 hours
189 earthquakes
30 Sep
3 days 22 hours
63 earthquakes
23 Oct
1 day 13 hours
25 earthquakes
2025
12 Mar
4 days 6 hours
74 earthquakes
20 Mar
5 days 23 hours
70 earthquakes
AI-generated article — for informational and entertainment purposes only. May contain inaccuracies. Full disclaimerFound an error?

Earthquake Swarm S20220322.1 Near Palomas, Puerto Rico

An earthquake swarm designated S20220322.1 was recorded south of Palomas, Puerto Rico, beginning at 03:20 on 21 March 2022 and concluding at 08:58 on 9 April 2022. Over 461 hours and 38 minutes, the swarm produced 207 earthquakes. Analysis of the first 100 events reveals magnitudes between 1.2 and 3.1, with focal depths predominantly ranging from 3 km to 19 km and clustering around 7–16 km. Events occurred at irregular intervals, with multiple instances of near-simultaneous shocks, such as paired recordings at identical timestamps on 22 March.

The swarm's temporal distribution showed peak activity in the initial days, tapering gradually. Magnitudes remained modest overall, with only a handful exceeding 2.5. Depths indicated shallow crustal sources typical of the region's tectonic setting. This pattern aligns with swarm behavior, where numerous small events occur without a dominant mainshock.

Puerto Rico occupies a complex tectonic boundary between the North American and Caribbean plates. The island experiences ongoing deformation due to oblique convergence and strike-slip motion along major fault systems, including the Great Northern Fault and structures associated with the Puerto Rico Trench. Seismic swarms in this area often reflect fluid migration or stress adjustments within the overriding plate rather than direct subduction-related rupture.

Historical records since 2000 indicate 12 prior swarms in the vicinity. These occurred in 2018 (1 swarm), 2019 (1), 2020 (5), 2021 (4), and 2022 (1). Such recurrent activity underscores the region's persistent low-to-moderate seismicity, driven by plate-boundary interactions that have shaped Puerto Rico's geology over millions of years.

The 2022 swarm's characteristics—limited magnitudes, shallow depths, and extended duration—provide insight into local stress regimes. No significant surface rupture or damage was associated, consistent with the modest energy release observed.

References

  • SeismoSight internal swarm classification database (S20220322.1 parameters and event catalog).
  • USGS Earthquake Catalog for regional Puerto Rico seismicity context (2000–2022).