Earthquake Today: 6.8 Strikes East of Guadeloupe; minor shaking felt in Maryland

A powerful magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck east of Guadeloupe in the eastern Caribbean on Monday (Oct. 27, local time), rattling islands across the Lesser Antilles. Early assessments point to limited structural damage and no tsunami warning at the time of the initial bulletins, though officials cautioned that evaluations are ongoing. Separately, a small quake around magnitude 2.5 was recorded in Howard County, Maryland, producing light, localized shaking.

Caribbean earthquake today: what happened and where

Seismological agencies logged the main shock at approximately 12:38 UTC (morning hours in the eastern Caribbean), centered roughly 170 km east of Beauséjour, Guadeloupe. The quake’s depth was shallow—on the order of tens of kilometers—helping amplify felt reports across neighboring islands including Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and Martinique.

Key points:

• Magnitude: 6.8 (reviewed)

• Epicenter: East of Guadeloupe, in the North Atlantic just off the Lesser Antilles arc

• Shaking: Widely felt; strongest on Guadeloupe and nearby islands

• Tsunami status: No warning reported at the time of initial updates

• Damage: No confirmed major damage as of the latest checks; assessments continue

The region sits along the complex boundary where the Atlantic plate subducts beneath the Caribbean plate—a setting known for generating occasional strong events. Buildings constructed to modern codes typically perform better under these conditions, but older masonry and hillside structures can still be vulnerable to cracking and rockfall.

Aftershocks and regional impact

After a quake of this size, aftershocks are expected. Instruments registered at least one sizable follow-on event near the source area, around magnitude 6.0, with additional smaller tremors likely over the next several days. Residents should anticipate intermittent shaking and be prepared for brief power or communications disruptions, especially in coastal communities and higher elevations where slopes are more susceptible to small landslides.

Air and sea operations in the area may conduct precautionary checks on runways, port infrastructure, and navigational aids. Schools and public offices often perform rapid safety inspections following strong shaking; travelers should check with local authorities for any schedule changes.

Small earthquake in Maryland today

On the U.S. East Coast, instruments confirmed a magnitude ~2.5 quake in Howard County, Maryland on Monday. Events of this size are common in intraplate settings along ancient fault systems and are typically felt as a brief jolt or rumble. No damage is expected from a quake of this magnitude.

If you felt today’s shaking

• Drop, Cover, and Hold On during shaking; stay away from windows and unsecured furniture.

• Coastal areas: If you feel a long or strong quake and are near the shore, move to higher ground without waiting for an official alert.

• Check utilities: Smell for gas, look for water leaks, and avoid downed lines.

• Document impacts: Note cracks or fallen items and photograph damage for local reports and insurance.

• Preparedness: Refresh go-bags (water, meds, chargers), and review family communication plans.

At-a-glance: today’s notable quakes (latest 24 hours)

Status: Recent updates indicate a strong quake east of Guadeloupe with at least one notable aftershock and a separate minor event in Maryland. Details on any damage in the Caribbean may evolve as authorities complete inspections.