7 

Accounts of Damage from Historical Earthquakes in the 

Northeastern Caribbean, to Aid in the Determination of their 

Location and Intensity Magnitudes

Open-File Report 2011–1133

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
This page has been left blank intentionally. 
Accounts of Damage from Historical Earthquakes in the 

Northeastern Caribbean, to Aid in the Determination of their 

Location and Intensity Magnitudes

By Claudia H. Flores, Uri S. ten Brink, and William H. Bakun 

Open-File Report 2011–1133

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Marcia K. McNutt, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia 2012

For product and ordering information: 

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its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment: 

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Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS

Suggested citation: 

Flores, C.F., ten Brink, U.S., and Bakun, W.H., 2012, Accounts of damage from historical earthquakes in the Northeastern

Caribbean to aid in the determination of their location and intensity magnitudes: U.S. Geological Survey, Open-File Report 

2011–1133, 237 p. 

Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual 

copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report.
Acknowledgements

The preparation of this catalog benefited much from the guidance of Colleen Hurter of the Marine 

Biological Laboratory/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute data library archives. She pointed out the 

availability of many online databases and facilitated the various interlibrary requests made for information. 
6 

Contents

Abstract ................................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Introduction.............................................................................................................................................................................. 7

Features of interest included in this catalog......................................................................................................................... 8

Source Search Method ........................................................................................................................................................ 9

The Bulletins from the meteorological observatory in Port-au-Prince, Haiti ....................................................................... 12

Catalog of earthquakes with their descriptions ...................................................................................................................... 13

Earthquakes from 1500 to the end of the 17th Century....................................................................................................... 15

Earthquakes of the 18th Century ........................................................................................................................................ 20

Earthquakes of the 19th Century ........................................................................................................................................ 53

Selected Earthquakes of the 20th Century.......................................................................................................................... 95

Other Significant Earthquakes of the Caribbean .............................................................................................................. 149

Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands ..................................................................................................................................... 149

Lesser Antilles.............................................................................................................................................................. 154

List of Events Studied by the Authors.................................................................................................................................. 171

Maps of the Northern Caribbean.......................................................................................................................................... 173

Historical events of interest on the island of Hispaniola....................................................................................................... 175

Index of Earthquakes by Island and by Year ....................................................................................................................... 177

References Cited................................................................................................................................................................. 180

Additional Material ............................................................................................................................................................... 191

Quoted text extracted from de Utrera (1995, p. 17–18) explaining that the true date of the “1564” earthquake 

is actually December 2, 1562, based on evidence from contemporary source............................................................. 191

Geographic locations used in the catalog for the Northern Caribbean ......................................................................... 193

Figures

1. Tectonic Map of the Northern Caribbean showing the islands of Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, 

and Northern Lesser Antilles .................................................................................................................................. 173

2. Map of the island of Hispaniola showing the locations of cities and towns with significant populations.................. 173

Tables

1. Events studied further in Bakun and others (in press) and ten Brink and others (2011)......................................... 171

2. Earthquake Modified Mercalli Intensity Criteria....................................................................................................... 172

3. List of Locations...................................................................................................................................................... 193
7

Accounts of Damage from Historical Earthquakes in the 

Northeastern Caribbean, to Aid in the Determination of 

their Location and Intensity Magnitudes

By Claudia H. Flores, Uri S. ten Brink, and William H. Bakun

Abstract 

Earthquakes have been documented in the northeastern Caribbean since the arrival of Columbus 

to the Americas; written accounts of these felt earthquakes exist in various parts of the world. To better 

understand the earthquake cycle in the Caribbean, the records of earthquakes in earlier catalogs and 

historical documents from various archives, which are now available online, were critically examined. 

This report updates previous catalogs of earthquakes, in particular earthquakes in Hispaniola, to give to 

the public the most comprehensive documentation of earthquake damage and to further the 

understanding of the earthquake cycle in the northeastern Caribbean. 

Documentation of an event in the past depended on the population and political trends of the 

island, and the availability of historical documents is limited by the physical resource digitization 

schedule and by the copyright laws of each archive. Examples of documents accessed are governors’

letters, newspapers, and other circulars published within the Caribbean, North America, and Western 

Europe. Key words were used to search for publications that contain eyewitness accounts of various 

large earthquakes. Finally, this catalog provides descriptions of damage to buildings used in previous 

studies for the estimation of moment intensity (MI) and location of significantly damaging or felt

earthquakes in Hispaniola and in the northeastern Caribbean, all of which have been described in other 

studies. 

Introduction

The preparation of this catalog of reports of Caribbean earthquakes felt since 1492 was prompted 

by the January 12, 2010, MW 7.0 earthquake that caused significant devastation and more than 222,000 

deaths in the city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and its immediate surroundings. Parts of the extensive 

destruction can be attributed to the lack of earthquake awareness and preparedness (Eberhard and 

others, 2010). If the past is the key to the future, then the accounts of earthquake effects in the 

Caribbean over the past 5 centuries provide critical information for understanding the seismic hazard 

and the appropriate preparedness measures for Haiti and other countries throughout the Caribbean. This 

report constitutes a catalog of accounts of historical earthquakes since 1492 and modified Mercalli 

intensity assignments for significantly damaging or felt events that can be used to better characterize 

historical earthquakes, especially on the island of Hispaniola where Haiti and the Dominican Republic 

are located. 

The goal for this catalog is to present as much information as possible on damages from past 

earthquakes for the purpose of determining earthquake intensities and to improve on past catalogs, 
8

especially for those earthquakes before the 20th century. In the past, comprehensive compilation of 

damage reports depended on physically accessing documents in libraries around the world. Because 

many libraries have made their collections available online, documents can now be compared side by 

side, independent of their originating archive. Moreover, many of these documents are searchable, 

allowing for rapid, efficient location of particularly relevant damage descriptions. The reader is 

encouraged to consult Bakun and others (2012) and ten Brink and others (2011) on the research 

resulting from the intensity assignments for selected earthquakes and their conclusions for the tectonics 

and earthquake cycle for the northeastern Caribbean. Bakun and others (2012) focus on the research 

surrounding the Enriquillo-Plantain Fault System in southern Hispaniola. Ten Brink and others (2011) 

provide a more general view of selected large magnitude earthquakes that have occurred in the 

northeastern Caribbean and their resulting seismic hazards for the region. The selection of earthquakes 

in this catalog was based on the scientific questions asked in these two studies. As a result, the focus of 

this catalog is primarily on earthquakes in Hispaniola, especially before the 20th century. This is why 

only a few earthquakes from other parts of the Caribbean are included in this catalog, and the 20th 

century list is not comprehensive. 

Much of this work would not have been possible if it were not for the Internet Archives, Digital 

Library of the Caribbean (dLOC), the Hathi Trust Digital Library, the Google Books Library Project, 

Gallica–Bibliotheque National de France, the Biblioteca Nacional de España that hosts the Hermeroteca 

Digital, the Portal de Archivos Españoles (PARES) hosted by the Ministry of Culture of Spain, and 

other libraries that have made their databases available online. Some documents remain unavailable 

either because of copyright protection or because they have not yet been digitized. The list of available 

sources continues to grow; therefore, the reader is encouraged to search for new material as it becomes 

available online. For the preparation of this publication, many of these online archives were last 

accessed as of August 2011. 

Features of Interest Included in this Catalog 

Several items are included in this catalog, which provide context to the information presented or 

are possible sources of information for further research. A list is provided of significant historical 

events that most likely affected the reporting of earthquakes and that help to place damage reports in 

historical context. The list is not a comprehensive history of the island; therefore, the reader is directed 

to the other sources for a fuller discussion of history, such as del Monte y Tejada (1890), Heinl and 

Heinl (1978) and Figueredo and Argote-Freyre (2008). The population of the island of Hispaniola has 

not been evenly distributed or continuous since its discovery in 1492 nor has the territory been managed 

by only one country for its entire history. To understand why there are reports for some parts of the 

island but not for others, a glance at the edited list of significant events provides a quick explanation. A 

historical context for reports of damage or reports of feeling an earthquake provides an understanding of 

why some reports can be found in some archives but not in others. 

The large number of events included in this catalog necessitates the inclusion of an index to ease 

the search for a particular event. Although the catalog is divided by century, the majority of events fall 

within the last three centuries, and tables of descriptions for the larger earthquakes span several pages. 

The index of earthquakes is organized by year and by island on page 177.

As mentioned in the introduction, several events were studied further by the authors, with the 

objective of answering fundamental questions that resulted from the 2010 Haitian earthquake. A list of 

these earthquakes and where to find their descriptions in the catalogue is given in table 1 on page 171. 

The research focused on only a few earthquakes; therefore, descriptions of those earthquakes and a few 
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others with a significant number of damage reports are listed in table 1 and contain the authors’ 

contribution, which is the assignment of a moment intensity value. 

In addition, the bibliography contains links to reference materials that are currently in the public 

domain. Considering the large amount of material in the public domain that was accessed for this 

catalog, the authors decided that providing links to the original sources would be more helpful for 

future research than integrating the original material, especially the non-English sources, into the 

catalog. The links direct the reader either to the first page of the source material or to the main 

document. For sources consulted that contain multiple volumes, individual links have been provided for

each volume. The New York Times provides only downloadable PDF copies of their issues, and the 

availability depends on the time period accessed. For the New York Times issues, a direct link to the 

archive pages is provided. 

Finally, the appendix contains other materials that may be of interest to the reader. Quoted text 

from de Utrera (1995) concerning the 1562 earthquake and a listing of damage-site geographic 

coordinates used in this catalog are provided in table form. 

Source Search Method

Jean Vogt contributed much to the methods of evaluating historical seismology by pointing out 

the pitfalls in many earthquake catalogs and by publishing case studies of individual earthquakes, which 

has been a benefit to researchers (Vogt, 1991 2009; Fréchet and others, 2008). For further guidance on 

the techniques and methods of historical seismology, the reader is directed to publications by Fréchet 

and others (2008) and Guidoboni and Ebel (2009). The most rudimentary process for doing historical 

seismology work includes searching for as many original accounts of an earthquake as possible, using 

the reference list in catalogs to help track down these original sources, and taking advantage of online 

search engines to find previously untapped sources of earthquake information. 

For this catalog, the search began with original sources by first identifying modern earthquake 

catalogues of historical events and looking at their reference materials using the methods suggested by 

Vogt (2009). Older catalogues from previous centuries and their original source materials are identified 

if they were referenced. Once those original sources were identified, searches using established library 

tools were made to obtain copies of the original materials. Many historical documents are now 

available online or are easily found through online catalogues (see References Cited). The following 

sources were the most useful in obtaining the original source or documents with information relating to 

historical earthquakes: Moreau de St. Méry’s (1796, 1798) volumes on the history of Hispaniola, Poey’s 

(1857) catalogue of earthquakes from the Caribbean, Mallet and Mallet’s (1858) worldwide catalogue of 

earthquakes, Perrey’s yearly catalogues of earthquakes (1843–1873) and catalogue of Caribbean 

earthquakes, Tippenhauer’s (1893) list of Hispaniola earthquakes, and the McCann and others (2011) on 

earthquakes felt in Puerto Rico. 

Moreau de St. Méry – This author provides the most in depth information for earthquakes during 

the early to mid-18th century in Haiti and Dominican Republic (Moreau de St. Méry, 1796, 1798). The 

author lived on the island in the second half of the 18th century. The author self published his volumes 

on the history of Hispaniola, then known as Santo Domingo, first of the Spanish side in 1796 and then 

the French side in 1798. As a result, he provides the most information on the effects of the June 3, 

1770, earthquake outside of news magazines from France and Spain of that period. The volumes are 

organized by city or town with a history of their establishment and finally the typical weather, 

geographical characteristics, and the known earthquakes that were felt and had damage reports. Many 

modern catalogues and historians cite Moreau de St. Méry’s work.
10

Poey – This author provides two sources (Poey, 1855, 1857), a catalog of known earthquakes to 

have occurred up until 1857 in the Caribbean and a history of hurricanes for the same period and region. 

Both catalogs describe the source material Poey used to compile these lists of earthquakes and 

hurricanes with no further information beyond the date and possible times of each event. These catalogs 

were useful because of the detailed references used to track down the original source materials for 

damage descriptions of the events, including histories, newspaper reports, scientific publications of the 

period, and personal letters published in history books. The only caveat for these catalogs is that Poey 

used what was available to him at the time, and most of the sources, especially closer to his time period, 

are French biased. Many modern catalogs for both earthquakes and hurricanes cite these catalogs as 

their main source. Poey originally lived on the island of Cuba and established a meteorological 

observatory in Habana in1856; it was shut down, and he was forced to leave Cuba in 1869 due to the 

Ten Year’s War (Figueredo and Argote-Freyre, 2008). 

Mallet and Mallet – This worldwide catalog (Mallet and Mallet, 1858) of known earthquakes 

ends at 1842. The authors wrote that Perrey was publishing another yearly catalog of similar 

information, and therefore, they chose to end theirs with that year. Mallet and Mallet provide a 

summarized description for each event, but they also provide a list of references for the documents from 

which they obtained their information. Many of their sources are British and French biased, but they do 

include newspapers and scientific publications of the time. Events occurring on the same day in the 

same region tend to be grouped together as one event. For example, for the October 18, 1751, event 

there are reports for both Hispaniola and Martinique, but most likely, there were two distinct events 

occurring on the same day. As a consequence, some modern catalogues have attributed the large event 

felt in Hispaniola as also being felt in Martinique without further documentation. Many modern 

catalogues cite Mallet and Mallet as their source.

Perrey – The catalog of Caribbean earthquakes and subsequent yearly catalogs of world 

earthquakes (Perrey, 1843–1873) have been useful in tracking down the occurrence of these 

earthquakes, but descriptions are summarized much like those in Mallet and Mallet. On occasions when 

an earthquake caused enough news, Perrey provided a citation and a quotation of the damage done by 

the earthquake. Perrey published a catalog of earthquakes from 1843 to 1873. 

Tippenhauer – This earthquake catalog is included as a chapter to the publication “Die Insel 

Haiti” published in 1893. Tippenhauer was initially interested in the science of meteorology by Father 

Wieck, director of the meteorological observatory at the Spiritans seminary school in Port-au-Prince, 

who visited Germany in 1885 (Bettembourg and others, 1952). 

McCann and others—W. McCann, L. Feldman, and M. McCann generated a catalog of damage 

reports for the historical seismicity of Puerto Rico with some information on the Virgin Islands, 

Northern Lesser Antilles, and Hispaniola. Their work has been valuable for finding original sources 

from documents held by the Archivo General de Indias (AGI) that are cataloged online but as yet are not 

available to view online and Caribbean documents that also are not available to view online. A draft 

copy of their work was made available to the authors of this current report in 2005; the McCann and 

others report has now been published in “Revista Geofísica” (McCann and others, 2011). 

Other significant ways of finding sources came through the use of the online databases listed 

below. 

Google News Archives—http://news.google.com/newspapers During 2010, Google initiated a 

dedicated page for searching through digitized newspapers; however, as of August 2011, this page has 

been removed. Google now redirects users to their main news page and suggests the use of the 

advanced search feature. There is a similar feature for finding books digitized and available online for 
11

Google Books. An explanation on the Google Books Library project can be found at 

http://books.google.com/googlebooks/library.html. 

Hemeroteca Digital—http://www.bne.es/opencms/es/Catalogos/HemerotecaDigital/index.html 

This site is hosted by the National Library of Spain (Biblioteca National de España) and is dedicated to 

newspapers published in Spain from the 17th to the 20th century. The National Library of Spain also 

hosts other online databases, which can be accessed from the main page at http://www.bne.es/es/Inicio/. 

Gallica—http://gallica.bnf.fr/ This online database is hosted by the National Library of France 

(Bibliothèque national de France – BnF). A user can access the library catalog and a search engine to 

look for all the library’s available digitized material, such as manuscripts, journals, newspapers, maps, 

and images. 

Portal de Archivos Españoles—http://pares.mcu.es/ This is the General Archive of the Indies, 

known as the Archivo General de Indias (AGI); it was established in 1785 in Seville, Spain, to gather all 

documents related to the Indies into one location. The Ministry of Culture of Spain provides an online 

database to search for documents in this archive and online viewing of digitized documents. The 

Ministry of Culture of Spain also hosts and connects to other Spanish databases that can be accessed at 

http://www.mcu.es/index.html. 

Hathi Trust Digital Library—http://www.hathitrust.org/home This online database provides a 

useful catalog search engine for U.S. libraries for holdings and documents available in the public 

domain. The library has full text search for digitized documents. This site makes clear what resources 

are available online based on U.S. copyright laws and what, if any, holdings are a result of the Google 

digitizing project. 

Internet Archives—http://www.arhive.org/ This online archive is a result of a not-for-profit 

organization’s effort to build an internet library. It is useful for finding digital copies of historical books 

and documents that currently exist in libraries in the United States, and items can be downloaded from 

the site in various formats or viewed online. 

Digital Library of the Caribbean—http://www.dloc.com/ This online archive is the result of a 

cooperative effort among Caribbean archives and libraries to preserve historical, cultural, and research 

materials and make them accessible to the public. Currently, this archive is administered by the Florida 

International University, in partnership with the University of the Virgin Islands and the University of 

Florida. A list of all founding partners and contributors can be viewed using a link at this site. 

Further concerns for historical earthquake research include taking into account the century and 

standards of publications for the period; observations by governors and people of political importance 

tended to be published as either part of the government record or later as news reports about major 

events. Not until the late 19th century and early 20th century do commentaries from common people 

become more prominent in newspapers. Historians tend to distill much of the personal testimony, but 

sometimes a historical publication may be the only place in which edited testimony survives. 

Testimonies from the Spanish colonial period of Hispaniola survive primarily through letters from 

governors to the King or from religious persons in requests for money to repair their colonial churches. 

Many of these documents survive in the Archivos General de Indias in Seville, Spain, and are cataloged. 

Only a small percentage of these documents are available online. Direct quotes from Archivo General 

de Indias letters are used in this report as source material where the original document is not available 

online or is not easy to obtain in publications, such as the history books written by de Utrera (1995) and 

Sevilla Soler (1980).
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The bulletins from the Meteorological Observatory in Port-au-Prince, Haiti

At the time of the publication of this report, the authors are aware of bulletins published by the 

l’Observatoire Meteorologique de Seminare-College St. Martial semi-annually first (1909 to 1916) and 

later annually (1917 to 1937 and 1950 to 1963). For the years 1935 to 1947, the college had no funds to 

publish a bulletin; therefore, information from those years was not published until 1950 (Bettembourg 

and others, 1952). The bulletins contain meteorological, as well as seismic, information, but for this 

report, only the chapters on seismology were used. Scherer was the sole compiler of the bulletins from 

1909 to 1916. Scherer (director) and Baltenweck (sub-director) were co-compilers of the bulletins from 

1920 to 1924. Bettembourg (director), Schneider (sub-director), and Schumacher (sub-director) were cocompilers of the bulletins from 1950 to 1955. 

What is known about the Seminare–College St. Martial is that it was established by the 

Spiritans, also known as the Fathers of the Holy Ghost and the Holy Heart of Mary, in the middle of the

19th century. Father Weick, then professor of physics at the seminary school, established a 

meteorological observatory inside the old Fort Thomas in Port-au-Prince after 1878. Father Scherer took 

over as director of the observatory in 1886, shortly before Father Weick’s death in 1887, and began to 

expand the capabilities of the observatory in 1890. Father Scherer installed pluviometers, also known as 

rain gauges, and established a correspondence network within parts of Haiti to collect a more complete 

record of the meteorology of Haiti. A transit telescope and chronometer, a precision clock, were 

acquired in 1896. With these, the observatory was able to report in mean local time which is + 04h 49m 

21s of Greenwich time and changed the local time on February 1, 1917, to the median time for the 75th 

parallel at + 05h of Greenwich time. After 1913, the observatory adopted Greenwich Mean Time 

(GMT) to record seismic observations. Scherer had a Cecchi seismometer (vertical pendulum, 100 

kilograms (kg)) installed in 1905 and about March 1911 had it replaced with an Omori-Bosch 

seismometer (SE-NW and SW-NE components, 71 kg, and magnification of 30 times) at the 

observatory in Port-au-Prince. In 1950, the entire observatory was moved into a new building. All of 

this historical information comes from the bulletins published in the first few years, 1909–1912, and 

Bettembourg and others (1952). 
13

Catalog of Earthquakes with Descriptions

The reporting of the history of the region and of the natural hazards has evolved significantly. 

During the colonial period (15th to early 18th centuries), documentation of natural events was done 

either by those governing the colonies or by those employed by the church. Colonies exported their 

natural resources, and the church tithes supported the construction and maintenance of places of 

worship. Therefore, any event that might disrupt the flow of funds and resources to and from the 

colonies would most likely be documented as justification for additional funding for the repair of public 

and religious buildings or justification for the absence of the expected tithes. During the late 18th and all 

of the 19th and 20th centuries, many reports originated from news articles and journals, from catalogs of 

scientific societies, and later from geophysical observatories. For the 20th century, the catalog focuses 

on significantly large events before 1963. Most of the intensity data comes from the bulletins issued by 

of the l’Observatoire Meteorologique du Seminare-College St. Martial, which was renamed after 1953 

Petit Seminare-College St. Martial, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. At the time of writing this report, the 

authors are aware only of bulletins issued almost continuously by this observatory from 1909 to 1963; 

however, this observatory has been in existence since 1873 when it was established by Father Weick 

(Bettembourg and others, 1952). 

This catalog is organized first by earthquakes predominantly felt on Hispaniola, followed by 

selected events felt in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Lesser Antilles (see Index of 

Earthquakes by Island and by Year starting on page 187. The descriptions in the catalogue are in 

English, but some of the sources have been translated from Spanish, French, Italian, or German. Links 

to original works in the public domain are provided in the References Cited. Table 1 (page 178) lists the 

earthquakes studied in detail by Bakun and others (2012) and ten Brink and others (2011) with preferred 

locations and intensity magnitudes. Not all earthquakes listed in other catalogues have been included in 

this list; therefore, the list is not comprehensive for all earthquakes of the northeastern Caribbean. Each 

event is described in a table with five major components that are explained in detail below. 

Header –The header contains the date, time, and a summary of the general effects of the 

earthquake. Only one earthquake is listed by its original date under the Julian calendar, that of 

December 2, 1562. Spain did not switch to the Gregorian calendar until 1582. Other Catholic nations 

that switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1582 are France, Portugal, and Poland; Germany and the 

Netherlands did not switch to the Gregorian calendar until 1700, and Great Britain did not adopt the 

calendar until 1752 (Guidoboni and Ebel, 2009). Earthquakes that occurred before the 20th century are 

referenced to the local time at the location with the highest relative intensity or at the only location with 

a time of day that is different than the origin time of the earthquake. An exact conversion to Universal 

Time (UTC) from an inexact description of the local time would only mislead the researcher for two 

important reasons. First, the convention of GMT as 0° latitude was not adopted until 1884 (Guidoboni 

and Ebel, 2009), and second, the observatory in Port-au-Prince did not adopt mean local time, using 

precise astronomical and time clocks, until 1896. All events in the 20th century are listed with local 

mean time and the UTC equivalent or only in UTC if the earthquake occurred after 1913. In addition, 

instrumental origin times, location, and magnitudes are listed in the header in bold and are either from 

the Centennial Catalog (Engdahl and Villaseñor, 2002) or from Sykes and Ewing (1965). The rest of the 

header contains general information about the earthquake, including land-surface effects, such as 

liquefaction, mud volcanoes, subsidence, disruption of water flow; tsunami; submarine landslides; notes 

on aftershocks; and notes on other phenomena that may include a history, extent of damage, or other 

issues that do not fit into the previous categories; and finally, the number of locations with an associated 

observation. 
14

Longitude and Latitude–Geographical coordinates in degrees of latitude and longitude are listed 

for each location that has an earthquake-damage or felt description associated with it. 

City–This is the name of the location of the city or town with an earthquake-damage or felt 

description. The list of cities in the tables is organized from the highest relative earthquake intensity to 

the lowest relative earthquake intensity. The name of the location at the time of the earthquake is listed 

first; if the name is different than the name of the location today, the current name is in parentheses. All 

locations are on the island of Hispaniola unless indicated by the name of the island after the name of the 

location. Because the Caribbean has a long history of changing boundaries and nationality, and because 

not all the islands in the Caribbean are independent nations, there is less confusion using the designation 

of city, island instead of city, country. A list of current locations for each city is provided in the 

appendix on page 220 

Description–Each earthquake description begins with a citation, followed by the description of 

damage from that source. Multiple descriptions for each location are organized by source, from those 

published closest to the time of the earthquake to the most recent. In the case of de Utrera (1995), the 

first edition of that work was published in 1927; therefore, it would go before source material published 

after 1927. For some locations, the same source is assigned to different locations nearby. For the 

research work done by, and described in, Bakun and others (2012) and ten Brink and others (2011), 

listing each location uniquely instead of grouping them into one single description of damage was 

necessary. As a result, for this catalog, this convention of listing each location uniquely was adopted 

with the intention of easily transitioning these locations into mapping software or to a geographic 

information system (GIS) software mapping tool. In the description field of each earthquake table, the 

following three font styles are used to indicate to the reader the manner in which the sources are cited. 

1. Arial, 9pt is used to indicate text that is paraphrased from the original text by the authors.

2. Times New Roman, 11pt is used to indicate text directly quoted from the source, independent of 

original language.

3. Times New Roman, 11pt, italics is used to indicate text in which the source is quoting another 

source.

Intensity–This last column contains the assigned Mercalli Intensities, if available, and is ordered 

from the most recent to the oldest. Author assigned Modified Mercalli Intensity values are based on 

criteria listed in table 2, page 179. In the Intensity column, assigned moment intensities from other 

publications are indicated in the following shorthand: C1972 = Campbell (1972), LB1948 = Lynch and 

Bodle (1948), S&L1992 = Shepherd and Lynch (1992), L&S1995 = Lynch and Shepherd (1995), 

T&R1977 = Tomblin and Robson (1977), SISF = SisFrance/Antilles (2010); the assigned intensities by 

the authors are CHF = Claudia H. Flores and WHB = William H. Bakun. Intensities are shown in Arabic 

numbers instead of Roman numerals. Bakun (WHB) intensities are generally more conservative than 

Flores (CHF) intensities, and (-) signifies that the authors did not find sufficient detail to allow an 

intensity assignment or that the event was not large enough to necessitate an intensity assignment. 
15

Earthquakes from 1500 to the end of the 17th Century:

Intensity, Mercalli Magnitude Intensities (3-10); CHF, assigned by C. H. Flores (author); WHB, assigned by W. H. Bakun (author); SISF, assigned by 

SiSFrance/Antilles (2010); S&L1992, assigned by Shepherd and Lynch (1992); C1972, assigned by Campbell (1972); -, no assignment given. 

December 2, 1562 (Julian Calendar)

Time: Between 8 and 9 in the evening, Conception de la Vega local time. 

Phenomenon Notes: Earthquake resulted in the relocation of Santiago de los Caballeros and Conception de la Vega. In many catalogs this event is listed as 

occurring in the year 1564, either in April or September, and this date is taken from a personal letter written by Echagoian and later from Garcia’s (1900) work on the 

history of Santo Domingo. From de Utrera (1995), the day and year of this earthquake used in this catalog is taken from four letters written contemporaneously and 

stored in the Archivo General de Indias (AGI) archives in Seville, Spain. From Utrera (1995), “Let us abide to Echagoian but not by his single and personal 

testimony because in the Archive of the Indies we find the following papers: Letter from the honorable Herrera to His Majesty, in the Real Council 

of the Indies, over various matters and among them news of an earthquake that occurred December 2 of the year before which is dated February 16, 

1563. Another letter dated February 13, 1563 signed by the Honorable Herrera, the honorable Echagoian and by the doctor Caceres to His Majesty, 

in the Real Council of the Indies, about the earthquake that occurred on December 2 of the year before, between eight and nine at night, which 

resulted in the fall of the church cathedral in la Vega. Another letter from the ecclesiastical Council from Conception de la Vega to His Majesty, in 

the Real Council of de Indies, over the destruction caused by the earthquake of December 2, 1562 and this is a letter dated October 6, 1563.” Moreau 

de St. Méry (1798 describes the ruins of the original establishment of La Vega where masonry work was found to have had iron bars, and Scherer (1912) cites 

Moreau de St. Méry. 

Number of Observations: 6 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-70.7075 19.4502 Santiago de los Caballeros (del Monte y Tejada, 1890): The city of La Vega was not the only one to be 

destroyed by the great shaking; the city of Santiago de los Caballeros which 

had been built in the plain that formed the ranches of Jacagua and Gurabito fell 

to its foundations and its dwellings saw the same fate as those in La Vega.

(de Utrera, 1995): Entire city destroyed to the ground. By this time the church was built 

of masonry. 

CHF(8)

WHB(9)

SISF(8)

S&L1992(9)

C1972(9) 

-70.5442 19.2937 Concepción de la Vega 

(old ruin)

(Moreau de St. Méry, 1796): An earthquake toppled almost the entire city. 

(Scherer, 1912a): The ruins of the old city were found in 1798 and were described by 

the author: brick columns which the mortar held together perfectly. The arch of 

the church, the steeple, and the capitals of the columns were on the ground, but 

in blocks; and these columns had three inch bars of iron running through their 

length.

(de Utrera, 1995): The church and Franciscan monastery were built of stone masonry 

by this time. 

The monastery fell and almost the entire church fell to the ground except for 

the section were the cross stood and this occurred sometime between 8 and 9 in 

CHF(9)

WHB(8.5)

SISF(8.5)

S&L1992(9)

C1972(9)
16

December 2, 1562 (Julian Calendar)

the evening. 

-70.6937 19.7971 Puerto Plata (de Utrera, 1995): The dormitory and the convent that was part of it in the Dominican 

monastery were severely damaged and were the only buildings made out of brick and 

stone in the town. 

In 1575 the Dominicans of Puerto Plata wrote a petition for help for their 

damaged church * * * the following was written: * * * You do know that after 

it (the monastery) was again rebuilt and after having cost so much, the 

dormitory of the before mentioned monastery fell again from an earthquake 

that occurred in the year of sixty-two. 

CHF(7)

WHB(7)

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (de Utrera, 1995): In this city [Santo Domingo] there was a clergyman by the 

name of Alonso de Peña * * * gave everything to the church, by luck that today 

this clergyman is the only one of his contemporaries that has passed through 

history the admirable aura of having given aid with all his properties for the 

material and moral restoration of the island after the terrible earthquake of 

December 2, 1562. 

Part of the letter to canonize Peña dated April 20, 1576: ( * * * who has given great 

service to God and his Royal Highness, has built three important churches, our 

Lady of High Grace in the village of Savaleon de Higuey [...] built the church 

in the city of Santiago de los Caballeros and is today building the parish of 

Santa Barbara of this city of Santo Domingo * * * ) The parish of Santa Barbara 

was built in 1536 with mud walls.

CHF(6)

WHB(7)

S&L1992(4)

C1972(3)

-71.6507 19.8474 Monte Cristi (K. Deagan, Florida Museum of Natural History, written commun., 2011 quoting Archivo 

General de Indias source dated May 13, 1563): A witness on board a vessel at Monte 

Cristi saw the earth shake ashore in 1562. 

-

- - Puerto Real

(near Fort Liberte today)

(K. Deagan, Florida Museum of Natural History, written commun., 2011): There is no 

archeological evidence for severe earthquake damage during the 1562 earthquake. The 

town was burned and abandoned in 1578 by Spanish authorities because of failure to 

restrict contraband trade by the locals. 

-

September 7, 1615

Time: Between 11 and 12 at night, San Juan, Puerto Rico local time. 

Aftershocks: Strong aftershocks that lasted for 40 days with 3 to 4 shocks per day (de Utrera, 1995). 

Phenomenon Notes: Earthquake was reported to have been felt all over the island. A hurricane occurred days after this earthquake starting September 12, 1615 

(McCann and others, 2011). There are accounts of damages from both the hurricane and earthquake in the countryside but are not separated as such. 

Number of Observations: 2

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (McCann and others, 2011 quoting AGI letter dated July 4, 1623, ref 1, Doc. 166): CHF(8)
17

September 7, 1615

Damage to a council room inside a church such that the cracked connecting 

wall is at risk of falling and taking a good part of the church with it.

(de Utrera, 1995): According to the archives of the church, Nuestra Senora de las 

Mercedes in Santo Domingo, an account written by Fr. Gabriel Tellez describes an 

earthquake that occurred in the year 1615 (sometimes confused for 1617 because of 

the date of the original letter), in which the choir loft fell and one of the transverse 

arches that held up that part of the church was damaged. Earthquakes were felt for 

forty days about 3 to 4 each day. It was felt throughout the entire island but Santo 

Domingo received the most damage. 

WHB(7)

C1972(9)

-66.1057 18.4665 San Juan, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, unpub data, 2005 quoting AGI letter dated October 1, 1615, ref # 

165, written by B. Navarra): Four accounts: 

1) * * *and you know because it is so public and notorious and having seen it 

myself that [on September 7] of this year [1615] between 11 and 12 at night, an 

earthquake occurred that lasted a quarter of an hour, in such a way that it 

moved all of the people in the city [San Juan] and many people exited their 

homes for what might happen* * *

2) He more than knows for he has witnessed it that earthquakes have occurred

and the last earthquake that happened [Sept. 7] of this year [1615] with such 

force that it was understood that many things fell and subsequently on 

September 12 there were thunderstorms. 

3) * * *and after that aforementioned loss in diverse times there have been 

earthquakes so large that they risk toppling many houses and that on 

September 7 of spoken year [1615] of the same there was an earthquake about 

12 at night, and so strong that everybody exited their houses and asked for 

prayers of help from God. 

4) * * *at the aforementioned city [San Juan] that might have been 16 years ago 

more or less when that the city experienced earthquakes about 4 or 5 times* * 

*.

CHF(5)

WHB(4.5)

January, 1665

Time: Unknown

Phenomenon Notes: Not reported in Puerto Rico.

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (de Utrera, 1995 quoting Archivo General de Indias letter dated January 15, 1665): 

The archbishop Cueva y Maldonado writes to the king to say that he had done 

CHF(7)

WHB(6)

C1972(6)
18

January, 1665

the required repairs to the main church and convent in Santo Domingo in 

which they had been damaged by an earthquake and that the year has started 

with earthquake. 

-70.8359 18.3504 Old Azua (de Utrera, 1995): Similar letter from the same archbishop saying that the church in 

Azua had been ruined by an earthquake and had ordered its repair. De Utrera thinks it 

is most likely from an earthquake in 1665.

CHF(7)

WHB(6)

May 9, 1673

Time: Unknown

Phenomenon Notes: Probably felt in other parts of the island but no individual reports. 

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity 

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Garcia, 1900): The earthquake caused much damage and some loss of life, five 

in the city of Santo Domingo* * *and probably much harm was caused in the 

rest of the island. 

(de Utrera, 1995): According to the archives in the church of San Lazaro in Santo 

Domingo, an earthquake left the entire city in ruins. So much damage was done that the 

governess of New Spain called to all the subjects to donate funds to repair the homes, 

forts, churches and hospitals. Of the 2000 pesos, 200 pesos went to the hospital of San 

Lazaro and 150 pesos went to the repair of the Dominican church and convent of San 

Nicolas. “An earthquake occurred with such force that it ruined all of the houses in the 

city”. 

CHF(8)

WHB(9)

C1995(10)

S&L1992(8)

-70.8359 18.3504 Old Azua (Taber, 1922): City damaged by earthquake. CHF(6)

WHB(6)

1684

Time: Unknown

Phenomenon Notes: Felt and possible minor damages in other towns. 

Number of Observations: 2

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Moreau de St. Méry, 1796): Of the buildings that survived Drake's invasion, they 

were lost in the 1684 and 1691 earthquakes. 

(Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The Spanish part of the island suffered cruelly. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): Suffered very much. 

CHF(8)

WHB(8)

SISF(8)
19

1684

(Garcia, 1900): A most terrible earthquake left most of the cities almost in ruin 

but it particularly hit Santo Domingo the hardest. Many churches, official and 

public buildings had to be rebuilt in the city. 

(de Utrera, 1995): A diocesan makes reference to damage suffered on the island as 

the reason why it has been difficult for the inhabitants to fulfill their tithe obligations to 

the church in a letter written in 1685. 

-70.8359 18.3504 Old Azua (Tippenhauer, 1893): Suffered very much. CHF(5)

WHB(6)

1691

Time: Unknown

Phenomenon Notes: Reporting of this event may have been overshadowed by the Kingston, Jamaica, 1692 and Guadeloupe 1690 earthquakes. 

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity 

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Moreau de St. Méry, 1796): Of the buildings that survived Drake's invasion, they 

were lost in the 1684 and 1691 earthquakes. 

(Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The Spanish part of the island suffered cruelly. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): Suffered very much. 

CHF(7)

WHB(7)

S&L1992(8)

-70.8359 18.3504 Old Azua (Moreau de Jonnes, 1822): Listed as a very destructive earthquake that destroyed 

the city of Azua and also one of many earthquakes that have been most 

destructive in the Antilles. 

(Perrey, 1843; Mallet and Mallet, 1858): It destroyed the town of Azua. 

(Perrey, 1847): It was destroyed by an earthquake. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): Suffered very much. 

CHF(8)

WHB(8)

SISF(8)

S&L1992(9)
20

Earthquakes of the 18th Century: 

Intensity, Mercalli Magnitude Intensities (3-10); CHF, assigned by C. H. Flores (author); WHB, assigned by W. H. Bakun (author); SISF, assigned by 

SiSFrance/Antilles (2010); S&L1992, assigned by Shepherd and Lynch (1992); T&R1977, Tomblin and Robson (1977); C1972, assigned by Campbell (1972); -, 

no assignment.

November 9, 1701

Time: Unknown

Land Surface Effects: Landslides observed on the road between Leogane and Petit Goave. 

Tsunami: Some previous catalogues have associated a minor tsunami with this event based on the damage descriptions reported in Scherer (1912a) who 

translated Moreau de Saint Méry, (1798). The original French text is as follows, “Le 9 Novembre 1701, le tremblement de terre renversa les maçonneries 

fraîchement élevées dans la plaine, & fit affaler des parties du chemin qui conduisait le long de la mer, de Léogane au Petit-Goave.” (Moreau de St. 

Méry, 1798) See the Leogane description for the English translation. 

Phenomenon Notes: This is the first major earthquake documented on the western side of the island of Hispaniola. 

Number of Observations: 5 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.6334 18.5111 Leogane (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): Taber (1922) and Scherer (1912a) translate Moreau 

de St. Méry (1798) as: It caused more destruction in the plain (Cul-de-Sac). 

Several houses built of masonry were thrown down and the road which 

leads from Leogane to Petit Goave along the sea shore sank into the sea. 

Our English translation: The November 9, 1701 earthquake toppled 

masonry freshly built in the plain and collapsed parts of the path which led 

along the sea from Leogane to Petit Goave. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): Quite Strong. 

(Garcia, 1900): The earthquake of 1701 caused great destruction in various 

villages especially at Leogane, and in the French part of the island. 

CHF(7)

WHB(7)

S&L1992(7)

SISF(8)

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit Goave (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The November 9, 1701 earthquake toppled 

masonry freshly built in the plain and collapsed parts of the path which led 

along the sea from Leogane to Petit Goave. 

CHF(6)

WHB(7)

-72.2808 18.6042 Cul-de-Sac (Scherer, 1912a): It caused more destruction in the plain [Cul-de-Sac]. CHF(6)

WHB(6)

SISF(7)

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The Spanish side of the island felt its cruel 

effects. 

(Moreau de Jonnes, 1822): Damages “It was disastrous”, [in reference to the 

whole island] 

CHF(4)

WHB(5)
21

November 9, 1701

(Tippenhauer, 1893): Quite Strong. 

(de Utrera, 1995): In Santo Domingo. 

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): Earthquake felt strongly. CHF(3)

WHB(4)

1713

Time: Unknown

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The Spanish side of the island felt its cruel 

effects. 

(Moreau de Jonnes, 1822): It was disastrous. [in reference to the whole island] 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): Strong 

(de Utrera, 1995): on the island, strong shaking. 

CHF(4)

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Tippenhauer, 1893): Strong 

(Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): Earthquake felt strongly.

CHF(4)

1734

Time: Unknown

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 3 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The Spanish side of the island felt its cruel 

effects. 

(Moreau de Jonnes, 1822): An earthquake on the island. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): quite strong 

(de Utrera, 1995): On the island, very strong shaking. 

CHF(4)

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Tippenhauer, 1893): quite strong CHF(4)

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): earthquake felt strongly. CHF(4)
22

1734

(Tippenhauer, 1893): quite strong

May 15, 1751

Time: unknown

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.2273 18.5758 Croix de Bouquets (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): I have already occasion to mention that the 

western part of the island is most prone to earthquake disaster and the Croix 

de Bouquets seems to be one of the places most exposed. On May 15, 1751, 

we felt a slight tremor. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): Earthquake 

CHF(3)

May 25, 1751

Time: between 12 and 1 at night, Santo Domingo local time

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Mallet and Mallet, 1858): Earthquake between 12 and 1 at night (on the 

island). 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): Earthquake 

CHF(4)

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Gentleman’s Magazine,1753): The first shock was on May 25, 1751, between 

12 and 1 o’clock at night, it was pretty considerable, but few people felt it. 

However the reality by letters from several parts of the island, but as it did 

no damage, it caused no alarm. 

(Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): Felt strongly but without injury. 

WHB(4)

SISF(3)

September 15, 1751

Time: 10:00 at night, Santo Domingo local time

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity
23

September 15, 1751

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Perrey, 1843): At 10 in the evening, several shocks. 

(Mallet and Mallet, 1858): Earthquake, several shocks. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): Earthquake, at 10 o'clock in the evening. 

(de Utrera, 1995): Felt all over the island. 

CHF(3)

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince Shepherd and Lynch (1992) quote Lyell (1875) but Shepherd and Lynch mention in 

their notes that this description is very similar to the later major earthquake of 

October 18, 1751

S&L1992(9)

September 29, 1751

Time: unknown

Phenomenon Notes: More than one shock was felt on this day according to de Mairan, 1756. 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (de Mairan, 1756): On the 29, several earthquakes [occurred] which we did 

not pay much attention to. 

(Mallet and Mallet, 1858): Earthquake. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): Earthquake. 

(de Utrera, 1995): Felt all over the island. 

-

October 8, 1751

Time: unknown

Phenomenon Notes: Possible foreshock? 

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Mallet and Mallet, 1858): Earthquake. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): Earthquake. 

(de Utrera, 1995): Felt in Santo Domingo. 

CHF(3)

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Gentleman’s Magazine, 1753): On Oct. 8, following, another slight shock was 

felt, and a like shock on the 12th about noon, but on the 18th was a terrible

CHF(3)
24

October 8, 1751

shock. 

October 12, 1751

Time: about noon, Cap Haitien local time

Phenomenon Notes: Possible foreshock?

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Mallet and Mallet, 1858): Earthquake. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): Earthquake. 

(de Utrera, 1995): Felt in Santo Domingo. 

-

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Gentleman’s Magazine, 1753): On Oct. 8, following, another slight shock was 

felt, and a like shock on the 12th about noon, but on the 18th was a terrible 

shock. 

-

October 18, 1751

Time: About 3:00 in the afternoon, Santo Domingo local time

Land Surface Observations: Sulfur springs appeared in the mountains north of the town of Azua.

Tsunami: Previous catalogues associate a tsunami with this event flooding the town of Azua. With closer inspection of the historical record, it is documented that 

hurricanes hit Hispaniola on August 21 contributing to flooding all over the southern coasts of the island (Sevilla Soler, 1980) and during the month of September that 

hit Jamaica from the 18 to 20th resulting in loss of many ships at sea but “In Hispaniola, only a few chimneys and slight buildings were blown down,” [in 

Cape Haitien] (Gentleman’s Magazine, 1751a,b). The hurricane is documented in earlier catalogues and described by a contemporary of the period (see Old Azua). 

The ruins of the old city of Azua were actually located about 6 km inland at an elevation of 23 meters in present day Pueblo Viejo, Dominican Republic. 

Aftershocks: A major aftershock was felt at 5 o’clock in the evening that same day and the next major aftershock on Oct. 28 (three tremors felt) and Oct. 29 (two 

tremors felt). Minor tremors were felt for the rest of the month of October into the month of November.

Phenomenon Notes: The earthquake destruction contributed to the relocation of the towns of Azua and Seibo to their modern locations. Azua was relocated to the 

foot of the Cibao mountains; Seibo was relocated a few kilometers north further up and on the other side of the river. Previous earthquakes before this day may or 

may not have been foreshocks to this event.

Number of Observations: 14 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Sevilla Soler, 1980, quoting letter written by Franciso Rubio y Peñaranda Oct. 19, 

1751, Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo, ref # 942): * * * a bit after 3 

o'clock an attack in the space of 6 minutes, without pause, such a strong 

earthquake * * * from its impulsive subterranean roar felt and violent 

motion on all the churches and buildings, such that all of those of masonry 

in this city reached their total ruin * * * 8 tremors occurred later. 

CHF(8)

WHB(7)

SISF(8)

S&L1992(8)

T&R1977(8)

C1972(10)
25

October 18, 1751

(Gentleman’s Magazine, 1752): * * * but in the Spanish part, several convents 

and churches were thrown down in the city of St. Domingo. 

(Sevilla Soler, 1980 quoting Luís Josep Pequero, transcribed in 1762, published in 

1975): [...] on the 18 of the month of October of before mentioned year 

[1751] between 2 and 3 in the afternoon a horrific noise was heard, similar 

to a strong wind in a canyon but could not tell if it came from the air or 

from the ground and with it an earthquake equally as huge as terrible with 

continuous motion going from North to South although others claimed from 

East to West. 

(Moreau de St. Méry, 1796): * * * to the north-east of town Saint-Michel was 

a hermitage that the earthquake of 1751 ruined. 

(Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): On October 18, 1751 at 2 o’clock in the 

afternoon, * * * the city of Santo Domingo lost many buildings. 

(Scherer, 1912a): Lost its finest buildings, the convents of the monks of La 

Merci, the Franciscans and the Dominicans as well as the churches of St. 

Barbe, St. Lazare, St. Antione, and St. Michel. The Cathedral remained 

intact because it was built entirely of compact hewn, limestone. 

Considerable damage to houses and main buildings of the city of Santo 

Domingo. 

(de Utrera, 1995): At 3 PM and at 5PM * * * considerable damage in the 

homes and principal buildings in the city of Santo Domingo, the shaking 

continued up to the 25 (of October). 

-70.8359 18.3504 Old Azua (Sevilla Soler, 1980 quoting letter written by Francisco Rubio y Peñaranda Dec. 30, 

1751, Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo, ref# 942): Of the other 

populations or places on the southern part of the island, the earthquakes 

have been felt in the before mentioned days and times [18 Oct, 19 & 21 Nov.]

in the villages of Hinche, Banica, and Azua* * *In Azua, 3 days walk from 

the capitol, was found to have experienced the most conflict and was 

completely destroyed. 

(Sevilla Soler, 1980 quoting Luís Josep Pequero, transcribed in 1762, published in 

1975): Commentary on hurricane days before the earthquake: On the second 

visit on August 21 in that the sea for 4 days horribly bellowed and obscurely 

CHF(9)

WHB(9)

SISF(8)

S&L1992(8)

T&R1977(8)

C1972(10)
26

October 18, 1751

setting it's salty waters, lifting balls of sea-foam that tried to reach the sky 

from the most distant parts of the sea, they could be seen on the tops of the 

mountains, leaving their water-marks behind without regard to their to 

staying within their limit. It fled into the Bay of Ocoa, and it overtook the 

top of Datiles, that was more than 30 paces from the edge of the coast. This 

change in the sea was not only observed on the southern band of the island 

of Hispaniola, but completely all over the island, leaving dried salt around 

the girth of trees and leaving the beaches putrid with dead fish the sea had 

brought up. 

(Moreau de St. Méry, 1796): But the earthquake of 1751 brought with it a fatal 

blow, destroying its houses and bringing the sea up to the point where the 

city was built. 

(Hazard, 1873): The old town * * * was destroyed by an earthquake in 1751. 

This terrible event led the sea up to the very town, when it was abandoned. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): Azua was destroyed on October 18th. 

(Scherer, 1912a): All its houses were thrown down and the sea overwhelmed 

the town. 

(de Utrera, 1995). Destruction of the city of Azua. 

-69.0358 18.7625 Old Seibo (García, 1900): All the populations of the Spanish side were damaged as a 

result of the earthquake but those that suffered the most were Azua, Santo 

Domingo, and Santa Cruz del Siebo. * * * The third, or that being Santa 

Cruz del Seibo was left completely destroyed and such they had to rebuild 

the city in another location that had a chapel. 

(Scherer, 1912a): Same as Azua.

(de Utrera, 1995): It ruined the city of Seibo mostly in the plantations.

CHF(7)

WHB(-)

SISF(8)

S&L1992(8)

T&R1977(8)

C1972(10)

-70.9246 18.6107 Sierra Viajama (Moreau de St. Méry, 1796): Since the furious earthquake October 18, 1751, 

which began at 3 o'clock in the afternoon it was discovered in the mountains 

of Viajama, mineral water springs gushed from everywhere and by their 

nature, suspect that the mountain contains sulfur. 

CHF(8)

WHB(-)
27

October 18, 1751

(Scherer, 1912a): Northward from Azua in the Sierra Viajama, one of the 

ranges of Cibao, sulfur springs appeared. 

-71.2325 18.8074 San Juan de Maguana (Sevilla Soler, 1980 quoting letter written by Francisco Rubio y Peñaranda Dec. 30, 

1751, Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo, ref# 942): From here [Azua] the 

nearby villages of Neyba and San Juan, in various places the earth opened 

and swallowed several animals and one man haven fallen into a crevasse 

was found to have many injuries. 

CHF(7)

WHB(-)

-71.4178 18.4832 Neyba (Sevilla Soler, 1980 quoting letter written by Francisco Rubio y Peñaranda Dec. 30, 

1751, Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo, ref# 942): From here [Azua] the 

nearby villages of Neyba and San Juan, in various places the earth opened 

and swallowed several animals and one man haven fallen into a 

crevasse was found to have many injuries. 

CHF(7)

WHB(-)

-71.7074 19.0793 Banica (Gentleman’s Magazine, 1752): * * * a Spanish village, Baniquo was entirely 

swallowed up, and a sort of saltish lake appeared in its place. 

(Sevilla Soler, 1980, quoting letter written by Francisco Rubio y Peñaranda Dec. 30, 

1751, Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo, ref# 942): Of the other 

populations or places on the southern part of the island, the earthquakes 

have been felt in the before mentioned days and times [18 Oct, 19 & 21 Nov.]

in the villages of Hinche, Banica, and Azua * * * In Banica we have also 

received similar news, put since they are such a poor village and infertile, 

they have only been companions in experiencing fear.

CHF(6)

WHB(-)

-72.0107 19.1453 Hinche (Sevilla Soler, 1980, quoting letter written by Francisco Rubio y Peñaranda Dec. 30, 

1751, Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo, ref# 942): Of the other 

populations or places on the southern part of the island, the earthquakes 

have been felt in the before mentioned days and times [18 Oct, 19 & 21 Nov.]

in the villages of Hinche, Banica, and Azua, and the first location with such 

violence that all the maize crops and large trees in the field were detached 

from the ground by the roots * * * their church had fallen to the ground it 

being built of stone. 

CHF(7)

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-70.5327 19.2239 La Vega (Sevilla Soler, 1980, quoting letter written by Francisco Rubio y Peñaranda Dec. 30, 

1751, Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo, ref# 942): “In the Northern 

section it was equally experienced in the cities of Santiago, Vega, and the 

town of Cotuy [Cotui].” As a result the majority of the buildings were found 

to be in ruins, and according to the governor, the majority of the population, 

including the governor, found themselves forced to live in the barracks. 

CHF(6)

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28

October 18, 1751

-70.7075 19.4502 Santiago de los Caballeros (Sevilla Soler, 1980 quoting letter written by Francisco Rubio y Peñaranda Dec. 30, 

1751, Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo, ref# 942): “In the Northern 

section it was equally experienced in the cities of Santiago, Vega, and the 

town of Cotuy [Cotui].” As a result the majority of the buildings were found 

to be in ruins, and according to the governor, the majority of the population, 

including the governor, found themselves forced to live in the barracks. 

CHF(6)

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-70.1531 19.0577 Cotui (Sevilla Soler, 1980 quoting letter written by Francisco Rubio y Peñaranda Dec. 30, 

1751, Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo, ref# 942): “In the Northern 

section it was equally experienced in the cities of Santiago, Vega, and the 

town of Cotuy [Cotui]”. As a result the majority of the buildings were found 

to be in ruins, and according to the governor, the majority of the population, 

including the governor, found themselves forced to live in the barracks. 

CHF(6)

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-72.3400 18.5400 Port-au-Prince (Gentleman’s Magazine, 1752): On Oct, 18th last, about 2 in the afternoon, * * 

* the earth shook violently; a steeple was thrown down and a few houses 

demolished in the French part of the island. 

(de Mairan, 1756): On the 18 of October, we felt one violent enough on the 

French side, but caused little damage. There were others frequent but barely 

felt until the 31 and the earth continued to have strong movement, though 

not marked tremors until [Nov] 21. 

(Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): On the 18 of October 1751, at two o'clock in the 

afternoon * * * the earth shook in Port-au-Prince with two violent shakes 

that lasted 3 minutes. 

(Scherer, 1912a): The earth trembled * * * with two violent shocks, which 

lasted 3 minutes. 

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-72.2273 18.5758 Croix de Bouquets (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): On the 18 of October at two in the afternoon, (the 

shaking) was very violent. 

(Scherer, 1912a): The earth shook violently. 

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-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Gentleman’s Magazine, 1753): * * * but on the 18th was a terrible shock: At 

two in the afternoon of that day the earth shook twice (with a very short 

interval) for at least three minutes each time. These shocks were so violent 

that all were frightened and quitted their houses. At 5 in the evening we 

were alarmed by another shock, which made us fearful of passing the night 

in bed. 

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29

October 18, 1751

(Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): They have felt strongly, though without injury. 

October 28, 1751

Time: Various times during the day. 

Phenomenon Notes: Several aftershocks felt on this day. 

Number of Observations: 3 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Sevilla Soler, 1980, quoting Luís Josep Pequero, transcribed in 1762, published in 

1975): * * * and the earthquakes continued until the 28 of the same month. [ 

October] 

(Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): On the 28, they experienced 3 tremors. 

(de Utrera, 1995): Earthquake. 

-

-72.3400 18.5400 Port-au-Prince (Tippenhauer, 1893): At 8 in the evening 3 strong shocks. -

-72.2273 18.5758 Croix de Bouquets (Tippenhauer, 1893): At 2:30 in the morning. -

- - French side of island (de Mairan, 1756): There were others frequent but barely felt until the 31 and 

the earth continued to have strong movement, though not marked tremors 

until [Nov] 21.

-

October 29, 1751

Time: One shock at 8:00 PM Cap Haitien local time, other time unknown

Phenomenon Notes: more aftershocks

Number of Observations: 3

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): On the 29, 2 (tremors were experienced). 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): Two strong shocks. 

(de Utrera, 1995): Earthquake. 

-

-72.3400 18.5400 Port-au-Prince (Tippenhauer, 1893): Two strong shocks. -

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Gentleman’s Magazine, 1753): On October 29, at 8 in the evening, was 

another shock. 

-

November 1, 1751
30

November 1, 1751

Time: Unknown

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 1

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Tippenhauer, 1893): Tremor. 

(de Utrera, 1995): Frequent tremors from the 1 to the 22 of November. 

-

November 19, 1751

Time: 3:20 PM, Cape Haitien local time

Phenomenon Notes: Possible foreshock for the earthquakes of November 21 and 22. 

Number of Observations: 5 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Sevilla Soler, 1980, quoting letter written by Francisco Rubio y Peñaranda Dec. 30, 

1751, Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo, ref# 942): Then came the 19 

and 21 of November in which they [earthquakes] returned with intensity 

especially on this last day. 

(Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): [...] and on the 19 of November, experienced 

two more strong [earthquakes].

(de Utrera, 1995): Frequent tremors from the 1 to the 22 of November; 

violent on those of the 19 of November all over the island. 

-

-72.0107 19.1453 Hinche (Sevilla Soler, 1980, quoting letter written by Francisco Rubio y Peñaranda Dec. 30, 

1751, Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo, ref# 942): Of the other 

populations or places on the southern part of the island, the earthquakes 

have been felt in the before mentioned days and times [18 Oct, 19 & 21 Nov.]

in the villages of Hinche, Banica, and Azua, and the first location with such 

violence that all the maize crops and large trees in the field were detached 

from the ground by the roots * * * their church had fallen to the ground it 

being built of stone.

-

-71.7074 19.0793 Banica (Sevilla Soler, 1980, quoting letter written by Francisco Rubio y Peñaranda Dec. 30, 

1751, Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo, ref# 942): Of the other 

populations or places on the southern part of the island, the earthquakes 

have been felt in the before mentioned days and times [18 Oct, 19 & 21 Nov.]

in the villages of Hinche, Banica, and Azua * * * In Banica we have also 

received similar news, put since they are such a poor village and infertile, 

they have only been companions in experiencing fear. 

-
31

November 19, 1751

-72.3400 18.5400 Port-au-Prince (Tippenhauer, 1893): 2 strong shocks. -

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Gentleman’s Magazine, 1753): * * * on Nov. 19, at 20 minutes past 3 in the 

afternoon was another shock which was violent but of short duration. 

-

November 21, 1751

Time: About 8:00 in the morning Port-au-Prince local time

Land Surface Effects: Crevasses, Sulfur (?) smelling springs and sections of mountains collapsed in the Cul-de-Sac area. Rivers in this area were noted to have 

had their flows altered as a result. 

Aftershocks: Aftershocks were felt that same day in Cap Haitien at 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM.

Phenomenon Notes: Almost completely destroyed the town of Port-au-Prince. In some locations, a noise similar to a cannon being fired accompanied this event 

and its subsequent aftershocks.

Number of Observations: 14 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3400 18.5400 Port-au-Prince (Gentleman’s Magazine, 1752): Nov 21, about 8 in the morning, during a 

profound calm, was felt a slight shock which increased to such violence that 

almost all the stone houses at Princes Port were thrown down, and the 

timber houses stood but little longer. 

(de Mairan, 1756): The city of Port-au-Prince was totally destroyed too 

except for 19 houses and all the homes in the country-side in the 

neighborhoods we have mentioned were almost completely thrown down. 

(Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): A light shaking * * * more violent shaking 

followed, only one of the brickwork houses did not topple. Some wooden 

ones fell. The barracks, the general store, and a wing of the quartermaster's 

(army supply area) fell down * * * it destroyed three quarters of the 

buildings * * * all the motion contained itself in an East to West direction. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): At 7:50 in the morning, 8 in the morning and 10 in the 

morning, so strong that houses fell.

(Scherer, 1912a): Of one hundred houses three quarters were constructed of 

masonry. Buildings of all sorts of construction, even the strongest, were 

overthrown. One remained standing. A noise like that of a cannon 

underneath the ground seemed to forewarn fresh disturbances. 

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T&R1977(10)

-72.2808 18.6042 Cul-de-Sac (Gentleman’s Magazine, 1752): * * * in the plain called Cul de Sac, sugar 

mills and refining houses were thrown down, apertures were made in the 

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32

November 21, 1751

ground, whence issued fetid springs; the tops of three mountains crumbled 

away, and choked up a river, which has since taken another course; in the 

plain near the cape above 25000 pots of sugar, etc. were broken and buried 

under the ruins. 

(de Mairan, 1756): That day a new earthquake stronger than any before was 

felt all over the neighborhoods of the island. The shaking was very violent, 

occurred at a quarter to eight in the morning, and it lasted 5 minutes. The 

whole plain of the Cul-de-Sac was ruined, and so was Mirebalais, 

l'Artibonite, Boucassin and the lake itself. 

(Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): Then on the 21st of November at 8 in the 

morning, houses and factories were all knocked down in several places in 

the plain of Cul-de-Sac. Crevasses formed in various places with new 

sources of foul water, portions of mountains collapsed, forced the rivers to 

form other beds. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): At 7:50 in the morning, 8 in the morning and 10 in the 

morning, so strong that houses fell.

(Scherer, 1912a, translation of Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): Houses and factories 

were completely thrown down in several places on the plain. Crevices were 

formed at various points and abundant springs of nauseous water broke 

forth from them. Shocks were in an East-West direction. In the mountains 

great landslides were reported and the beds of rivers changed their direction. 

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Gentleman’s Magazine, 1753): But the most dreadful shock of all was on 

Nov. 21, at 8 in the morning, when we felt the earthquake and tremble for 

above a minute, after which it shook so violently that one would have 

thought the whole island was bout to be rent in twain, or shattered to pieces. 

This furious shock lasted two minutes, and then happily ceased, for if it had 

continued one minute longer there would not have been a single house left 

standing. * * * The priests were obliged to suspend the celebration of mass; 

the candlesticks upon the altars were overthrown. The houses rocked, the 

walls were cracked and opened, and they seemed to be on the point of 

falling. 

(Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The earth also shook this whole time * * * but 

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33

November 21, 1751

not a single house fell * * * nevertheless, some people rushed out in fright, 

jumping out first-floor windows into the streets. 

-72.6334 18.5111 Leogane (de Mairan, 1756): Leogane and the rest of the Cap [Cap Haitien] were less 

mistreated.

(Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): Things passed more quietly; three stores were 

badly damaged and the church also suffered * * * the city of Leogane had 

suffered the earthquake of 1751; it lost administration, council, and royal 

offices as well as much of its luster. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): At 7:50 in the morning, 8 in the morning and 10 in the 

morning, so strong that houses fell.

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-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The ravages of the quakes were so angry [strong] 

that they were felt from Leogane to Gonaives, the movements East to West. 

(Scherer, 1912a): Same shock felt, without causing damage. 

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-72.5126 18.7701 Arcahaie (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The earthquake of 1751 was known to have 

caused damages * * * it cracked the buildings like they did in 1770.

(Scherer, 1912a): Felt also. 

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-71.8333 19.6667 Fort Dauphin 

(Fort Liberte)

(Gentleman’s Magazine, 1752): * * * in the district of Fort Dauphin many 

sugar works and dwelling houses were destroyed. The consternation of the 

people is inexpressible, most of the inhabitants of the towns pass the night 

in the fields, the value of plantations is falling away, and everybody talks of 

returning to France.

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-72.7000 19.1167 Saint Marc (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The earthquake of November 21, 1751 a few 

walls cracked in Saint-Marc.

(Tippenhauer, 1893): At 7:50 in the morning, 8 in the morning and 10 in the 

morning, so strong that houses fell. 

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SISF(7)

-72.4500 18.7167 Boucassin (de Mairan, 1756): * * * the whole plain of the Cul-de-Sac was ruined as so 

was Mirebalais, l’Artibonite, Boucassin and the lake itself.

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-72.6833 19.2833 Plain de L’Artibonite (de Mairan, 1756): * * * the whole plain of the Cul-de-Sac was ruined as so 

was Mirebalais, l’Artibonite, Boucassin and the lake itself.

CHF(6)

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34

November 21, 1751

SISF(8)

-72.1040 18.8336 Mirebalais (de Mairan, 1756): * * * the whole plain of the Cul-de-Sac was ruined as so 

was Mirebalais, l’Artibonite, Boucassin and the lake itself.

CHF(6)

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-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Sevilla Soler, 1980, quoting letter written by Francisco Rubio y Peñaranda Dec. 30, 

1751, Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo, ref# 942): Then came the 19 

and 21 of November in which they [earthquakes] returned with such intensity, 

especially on the last date around 8 in the morning, with such long 

duration, that in general, or the rest replied, lasted about 8 minutes and 

such that if they had been any stronger like the first ones [18] not a single 

building would be standing. 

(Sevilla Soler, 1980, quoting Luís Josep Pequero, transcribed in 1762, published in 

1975): On the 21 of the month of November * * * between 9 and 10 o'clock 

in the morning it would last a quarter of an hour the repetitive rumbling on 

an earthquake such that not on your feet or knees could you stay level to the 

ground, such was the confusion * * * it wasn't as big or as scary as the first 

one that was completely unexpected. 

(Mallet and Mallet, 1858): A trembling motion lasting a minute and then a 

violent shock of two minutes duration. 

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C1972(3)

-72.0170 19.1453 Hinche (Sevilla Soler, 1980, quoting letter written by Francisco Rubio y Peñaranda Dec. 30, 

1751, Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo, ref# 942): Of the other 

populations or places on the southern part of the island, the earthquakes 

have been felt in the before mentioned days and times [18 Oct, 19 & 21 Nov.]

in the villages of Hinche, Banica, and Azua, and the first location with such 

violence that all the maize crops and large trees in the field were detached 

from the ground by the roots * * * their church had fallen to the ground it 

being built of stone.

CHF(4)

WHB(4)

-71.7074 19.0793 Banica (Sevilla Soler, 1980, quoting letter written by Francisco Rubio y Peñaranda Dec. 30, 

1751, Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo, ref# 942): Of the other 

populations or places on the southern part of the island, the earthquakes 

have been felt in the before mentioned days and times [18 Oct, 19 & 21 Nov.]

in the villages of Hinche, Banica, and Azua * * * In Banica we have also 

received similar news, put since they are such a poor village and infertile, 

they have only been companions in experiencing fear. 

CHF(4)

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35

November 22, 1751

Time: Various; 4:00 AM, 6:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 8:00 PM, and 11:00 PM Cap Haitien local time

Phenomenon Notes: The largest aftershock felt in Port-au-Prince also accompanied by cannon-like sounds.

Number of Observations: 4 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3400 18.5400 Port-au-Prince (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): * * * on the 22, the structures that survived were 

destroyed and from the 19 to the 22 the earth was not stable for a moment. 

Night and day a noise like a cannon announced new underground agitations. 

From 22 [Nov.] to 8 December, there were 25 shocks * * * the shocks were 

significant from Leogane to Gonaives.

(Tippenhauer, 1893): At 4 to 6 in the early morning and at 3 to 11 in the 

afternoon and evening, direction east to west. 

-

-72.6334 18.5111 Leogane (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): From 22 to 8 December, there were 25 shocks * 

* * the shocks were significant from Leogane to Gonaives.

-

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): From 22 to 8 December, there were 25 shocks * 

* * the shocks were significant from Leogane to Gonaives. 

-

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Gentleman’s Magazine, 1753): Nov. 22, 1751 At 4 and 6 A.M. at 3, 4, 8, and 

11 P.M. – The shock at 3 o’clock this day was as violent as that of October 

18.

-

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (de Utrera, 1995): On the 22 of November felt all over the island with 

destruction on the western side.

-

November 23, 1751 to November 30, 1751

Time: Various times 

Phenomenon Notes: Aftershocks felt in the month of November.

Number of Observations: 4 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3400 18.5400 Port-au-Prince (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): From 22 to 8 December, there were 25 shocks * 

* * the shocks were significant from Leogane to Gonaives.

(Tippenhauer, 1893): 25 shocks were felt in total from November 23 to 

December 5, East to West in direction; November 28 - at 8:45 in the 

morning, in east to west direction, shock felt; November 30 - shock felt, in 

east to west direction. 

-

-72.6334 18.5111 Leogane (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): From 22 to 8 December, there were 25 shocks * -
36

November 23, 1751 to November 30, 1751

* * the shocks were significant from Leogane to Gonaives.

(Tippenhauer, 1893): 25 shocks were felt in total from November 23 to 

December 5, East to West in direction; November 28 - at 8:45 in the 

morning, in east to west direction, shock felt; November 30 - shock felt, in 

east to west direction. 

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): From 22 to 8 December, there were 25 shocks * 

* * the shocks were significant from Leogane to Gonaives.

(Tippenhauer, 1893): 25 shocks were felt in total from November 23 to 

December 5, East to West in direction; November 28 - at 8:45 in the 

morning, in east to west direction, shock felt; November 30 - shock felt, in 

east to west direction. 

-

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Gentleman’s Magazine, 1753): Nov. 23 At 1 1⁄2 and 5 A.M. and at 1 3⁄4 and 3h. 

20m. P.M. [Nov.] 24 At 6 1⁄2, 7 1/2 , 10 and 11 1⁄2 , A.M. [Nov.]25 At 6 1⁄2 , 7 

1⁄4 A.M. and at 2 and 3 P.M. [Nov.] 26 At 4 1⁄2, 7 3⁄4, and 8 1⁄2 A.M. [Nov.] 28 

At 8 3⁄4 A.M. – We had two shocks so very terrible that they who hitherto 

had been hardy enough to lie in their beds (the greatest part of the 

inhabitants having for 15 days before slept under tents in the streets) were 

resolved to quit them. We then thought indeed that we should have been all 

destroyed. [Nov.] 30 At 8 1⁄4 A.M. A very violent shock. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): 5 shocks were felt in total from November 23 to 

December 5, East to West in direction; November 28 - at 8:45 in the 

morning, in east to west direction, shock felt; November 30 - shock felt, in 

east to west direction. 

-

December 1, 1751 to January, 1752

Time: Various times

Phenomenon Notes: Aftershocks felt in the month of December and into January of 1752. The account written by de Langrene living in Cap Haitien (then Cap 

Francois) dated December 16, 1751 and published in the July 1753 issue of The Gentleman’s Magazine and has additional descriptions of damage from the 1751 

earthquakes but he does not attribute an exact date to when they happened. Some of de Langrene’s descriptions include: In the isle of Cows [Ile a Vache (-73.64, 

18.07), southeast of Les Cayes ] the cottages are all so shattered that they must be rebuilt * * * A village upon the sea coast two leagues from St. 

Domingo, the Spanish capital, was entirely swallowed up, but so gradually that the inhabitants had time to remove their effects, sloops and canoes at 

present sail over the place where this village stood * * * Near Banie [Bani] a volcano broke out and threw out fire, smoke, water, and stones, but it 

hath disappeared, and where it was there is now a salt water lake, the bottom whereof cannot be found * * * The ships that arrived about the time of 

the great shocks, felt them at 100 leagues distance from the island. The sailors perceived such an agitation in the sea as made them imagine that the 
37

December 1, 1751 to January, 1752

vessel was foundering or that she struck. All the vessels at anchor in our road [Cap Haitien] were very much tossed and agitated, and everything in 

their holds overturned. 

Number of Observations: 5 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3400 18.5400 Port-au-Prince (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): From 22 to 8 December, there were 25 shocks. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): December 1 - at 7 in the morning, shock felt, in east to 

west direction; December 5 - at 2 in the morning, shock felt, in east to west 

direction; December 8, 1751 – shock; January 1752 – shock.

-

-72.6334 18.5111 Leogane (Tippenhauer, 1893): December 1 - at 7 in the morning, shock felt, in east to 

west direction; December 5 - at 2 in the morning, shock felt, in east to west 

direction. 

-

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Tippenhauer, 1893): December 1 - at 7 in the morning, shock felt, in east to 

west direction; December 5 - at 2 in the morning, shock felt, in east to west 

direction. 

-

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Gentleman’s Magazine, 1753): Dec 1. At 7 P.M. A quick strong tremor. [Dec.]

5 At 2 A.M. [Dec.] 12 At 7 1⁄2 A.M. A slight shock. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): December 1 - at 7 in the morning, shock felt, in east to 

west direction; December 5 - at 2 in the morning, shock felt, in east to west 

direction. 

-

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Tippenhauer, 1893): December 12, 1751 at 7:30 in the morning, shock. -

1753, 1754 and Nov (?) 1755

Time: Unknown

Phenomenon Notes: Tippenhauer (1893) notes a November (?) for the 1755 earthquake. 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

- - Hispaniola island (Maret, 1783): We have among our academics a witness to those 

[earthquakes] that shook the island of St. Domingo in 1753, and that shook 

again in 1754 and 1755. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): Shock, Haiti. 

(de Utrera, 1995): Island.

-
38

March 8, 1764

Time: 10:55 in the evening, Saint Marc local time

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.7000 19.1167 Saint Marc (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): On March 8, 1764, we felt there, at 10:55 in the 

evening, two shocks from earthquakes that each lasted 15 seconds. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): At 10 hrs 55 minutes in the evening, lasting 15 seconds, 

2 shocks. 

-

September 1765

Time: Unknown

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.7709 18.4256 Grand Goave (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): At the beginning of September 1765, there were 

several shocks of an earthquake. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): Earthquake. 

-

-72.6334 18.5111 Leogane (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): * * * in 1765 the earth shook five times. -

January 27, 1766

Time: 6:30 in the evening, Cap Haitien local time

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The earth shook on 27 January, 1766, at half past 

6 o'clock in the evening, and the shaking was quite strong. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): At 6:30, quite strong. 

-

January 30, 1766

Time: Unknown

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity
39

- - Spanish half of island (Perrey, 1857): Spanish part. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): January 30, Spanish part. 

(de Utrera, 1995): January 30, eastern part. 

-

April 26, 1766

Time: Few minutes after 9:00 in the evening, Cap Haitien local time

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): There was another shake, a bit violent, on April 

26 a few minutes after 9 o'clock in the evening. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): April 26, at 9:08 and 9:15, Cap Haitien, weakly. 

-

December 27, 1767

Time: 4:30 in the morning, Port-au-Prince local time

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3400 18.5400 Port-au-Prince (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The land was quiet until December 27, 1767; the 

earth trembled very much at half past four in the morning but without 

causing any damage.

(Moreau de Jonnes, 1822): In Santo Domingo island. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): December 27, 4:30 early, Port-au-Prince, light shock 

without damage. 

-

January 21, 1768

Time: 6:30 in the evening, Cap Haitien local time

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Moreau de Jonnes, 1822): 20 January. [on the island]

(Perrey, 1843): 21 of January, 6:30 in the evening, in Cap Français, a slight 

-
40

January 21, 1768

shaking from West to East.

(Tippenhauer, 1893): January 21, 6:30 early, West to East, Cap Haitien. 

October 4, 1768

Time: Evening

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit Goave (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): On October 4, 1768 in the evening, there were 

two strong shocks from earthquakes. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): October 4, evening, Petit Goave. 

-

October 10, 1768

Time: Unknown

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3400 18.5400 Port-au-Prince (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): On October 10, 1768, there were three shocks. 

(Moreau de Jonnes, 1822): 10 October. [on the island]

(Tippenhauer, 1893): October 10, Port-au-Prince, 3 shocks. 

-

August 14, 1769

Time: Unknown

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3400 18.5400 Port-au-Prince (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): * * * and one [earthquake] on August 14, 1769. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): August 14, Port-au-Prince, 1 shock. 

-

January 20, 1770 and April 12, 1770
41

January 20, 1770 and April 12, 1770

Time: Unknown

Phenomenon Notes: possible foreshocks?

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3400 18.5400 Port-au-Prince (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The earth shook on January 20 and on April 12, 

1770. 

(Moreau de Jonnes, 1822): April 12, in Santo Domingo [island]. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): January 20, Port-au-Prince, soft shaking of the ground; 

April 12. 

-

June 3, 1770

Time: About 7:30 in the evening, Port-au-Prince local time (Pentecost – Christian holiday)

Land Surface Observations: Crevasses formed around Enriquillo and Laguna lakes, landslides occurred somewhere on the Grand Riviere near Leogane blocking 

river flow for several hours. Springs appeared in the Artibonite region. Liquefaction effects were observed in the Croix-de-Bouquets area.

Tsunami: The sea flowed in about a league and a half up into the land (Gentleman’s Magazine, 1770b). Another account from Port-au-Prince describes: the 

sea rose twenty feet high by a tidal wave and it came ravaging into the land 1⁄4 of a league. (Hippeau, 1864)

Aftershocks: For a period of a month after the main earthquake, aftershocks were felt on the island.

Phenomenon Notes: According to the historian Garcia (1900), in 1770 * * * an earthquake, like no other ever was felt in the Antilles, which was felt 

from one extreme part of the island to the other on June 3, and as a consequence the whole population in general experienced either great or little 

damage. 

Potentially the major towns on the Spanish side of the island felt this earthquake as suggested in The Gentleman’s Magazine (1770b): This earthquake was more 

severely felt at St. Domingo, where the whole island was agitated; and in the Annual Register (1771b): Letters from St. Domingo confirm the 

melancholy account, of the calamity which happened there on the 3d of last month. It is said the earthquake extended thirty-five leagues. 

Number of Observations: 34 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3400 18.5400 Port-au-Prince (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): It was June 3, of the same year [1770], day of the 

Pentecost. At a quarter after 7 in the evening the entire island was hit by an 

earthquake that was preceded by a noise that sounded like a roar. The first 

two shocks, felt in Port-au-Prince were followed very closely together 

lasted less than four minutes and during this succession of undulating 

motion from East to West pulsation, the entire city was thrown down; the 

gun-powder room alone resisted and opened a little. * * * It was said that 

the earth boiled and that it became liquid, for this movement resembled that 

of the waves of the ocean. The earth was open in thousand places * * * 

soldiers were buried under the ruins of the barracks and hospitals, and 

CHF(9)

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42

June 3, 1770

prisoners were crushed by the debris of the jail. The public edifices, such as 

the Government building, the Intendancy, the Council building, and most 

solid structures, like the new church * * * the powder magazine, and private 

houses were no more than heaps. Only the rows of trees made the streets 

recognizable * * * The earthquake toppled the council building except the 

south wing, which was being repaired in its lower part * * * The hospital 

was overthrown in 1770 by the earthquake. 

(Moreau de Jonnes, 1822): June 3, at 7 o'clock in the evening, in [Hispaniola]

and most of the West Indies; Leogane, Petit-Goave and Port-au-Prince, 

were destroyed, the shocks were in the East to West direction. For a month, 

there was not a day that shocks were not felt. 

(Southey, 1827): * * * but the city of Port-au-Prince was entirely destroyed; 

not one house was left standing and above 500 persons were buried in the 

ruins * * * The plains of Leogane, Port-au-Prince, Petit-Goave, suffered 

considerably – all the sugar works were destroyed. 

(Perrey, 1847): June 3, in the western part of the island of Santo Domingo, 

earthquake. The first tremor began at 7:03 in the evening and lasted 3 

minutes in an East to West direction. The aftershocks have been around the 

compass. All buildings in Port-au-Prince and other places have been thrown 

down * * * The shocks continued until June 5, almost without interruption. 

(Scherer, 1912a): At a quarter after seven o'clock in the evening, the whole 

island experienced an earthquake, preceded by a dull noise like rumbling, 

and by considerable agitation directed from East to West * * * being all 

outdoors or on their porches had time at the first sound to rush into the 

middle of the street, which were broad and bordered by elms. 

-72.6929 19.4458 Leogane (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The church, the presbytery, the Government 

building, the powder magazine, the military hospital, fell to the ground * * * 

the rest of the city presented only ruins * * * the plain did not suffer less * * 

* buildings on the sugar and coffee plantations were destroyed or 

considerably damaged. 

(Moreau de St. Méry, 1798; Scherer, 1912a): Several springs dried up and didn't 

flow again for ten years. Road from Leogane to Jacmel was entirely blocked 

CHF(9)

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43

June 3, 1770

by landslides and rock falls. 

(Moreau de Jonnes, 1822): June 3, at 7 o'clock in the evening, in [Hispaniola]

and most of the West Indies; Leogane, Petit-Goave and Port-au-Prince, 

were destroyed, the shock were in the East to West direction. For a month, 

there was not a day that shocks were not felt. 

(Southey, 1827): Petit Goave and Leogane were also destroyed. The plains of 

Leogane, Port-au-Prince, Petit-Goave, suffered considerably – all the sugar 

works were destroyed. 

-72.2273 18.5758 Croix-de-Bouquets (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): Finally, the dreadful earthquake of June 3, 1770 

overthrew all the houses and all the factories; the earth opened and furrowed 

in a number of places. The mountains showed signs of the destruction. The 

Great River that had disappeared returned 16 hours later with impetuosity. 

(Southey, 1827): * * * and La Croix de Bouquet, a small town, the greatest 

part of its inhabitants was swallowed up. The earthquake extended thirtyfive leagues, and the sea rose a league and a half up into the island.

SISF(8)

-72.2808 18.6042 Cul-de-Sac (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): * * * the tremors were so violent across the Culde-Sac; we thought that the whole island had arrived to the moment of its 

destruction. 

(Scherer, 1912a): The misfortunes of the plain of the Cul de Sac were no less 

than those of the city [Port-au-Prince]. All the houses and the factories were 

thrown down. 

CHF(8)

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SISF(7.5)

-72.4105 18.5528 Carrefour (Scherer, 1912a): The districts of Trou Bordet and of Lamentin (Carrefour, 

Mariani, Cresser) underwent, with their plantations and their factories, the 

same accidents as the Cul de Sac. Everything was destroyed or overthrown 

and there were again several deaths to mourn. 

CHF(7.5)

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SISF(8)

-72.6101 18.5383 Mariani (Scherer, 1912a): The districts of Trou Bordet and of Lamentin (Carrefour, 

Mariani, Cresser) underwent, with their plantations and their factories, the 

same accidents as the Cul de Sac. Everything was destroyed or overthrown 

and there were again several deaths to mourn. 

CHF(7.5)

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SISF(8)

-72.5290 18.5379 Gressier (Scherer, 1912a): The districts of Trou Bordet and of Lamentin (Carrefour, 

Mariani, Cresser) underwent, with their plantations and their factories, the 

same accidents as the Cul de Sac. Everything was destroyed or overthrown 

CHF(7.5)

WHB(-)
44

June 3, 1770

and there were again several deaths to mourn. 

-72.7709 18.4256 Grand Goave (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): In the earthquake of 1770, the sea, as I noted 

earlier, a portion of the land submerged at the bottom of the hill La Saline, 

and parts of Tapion [mountain] collapsed, while other places formed sink 

holes which interrupted the path. 

-

-72.3297 18.5324 Turgeau (Scherer, 1912a): As for the effects on the earth itself, the spring of Turgeau 

was diminished by half its flow and about the capital the hills even 

subsided. 

CHF(6)

WHB(-)

-72.1892 18.4909 Grande Riviere (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): * * * ceased to flow for sixteen hours and began 

again with a flood of water. 

CHF(6)

WHB(-)

-72.5126 18.7701 Arcahaie (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The earthquake of 1751, it cracked the buildings 

like they did in June 3, 1770, the masonry from sugar mills and the water 

drains * * * disappeared. 

(Scherer, 1912a): The market town of Arcahaie had only slight losses. The 

church was badly damaged and rendered unfit for use; it only resisted, 

thanks to the buttresses with which it was shored up. Altogether the repairs 

cost the inhabitants more than eighty thousand francs. Fifteen sugar 

refineries were destroyed in the plain and a house in the Canton des Vases 

partly submerged. 

CHF(7)

WHB(7)

SISF(7)

-72.1040 18.8336 Mirebalais (Scherer, 1912a): At Mirebalais a very fine church was slightly damaged, but 

the curé [priest] and the inhabitants abandoned it in excessive fear and before 

any appearance of danger. 

CHF(6)

WHB(6)

SISF(7)

-72.3953 18.2311 Cayes Jacmel (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The earthquake of 1770 damaged the indigo 

plantations. 

CHF(7)

WHB(7)

SISF(7.5)

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The earthquake of 1770 threw down the houses 

in the city made of masonry, while others suffered more or less, the vessels 

storing the indigo were damaged; a lot of indigo was lost. 

CHF(7.5)

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SISF(7.5)

-73.3971 18.2816 Aquin (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The earthquake of 1770 did little damage 

although it did knock down the church. 

CHF(6.5)

WHB(7)

SISF(7)

-73.6552 18.2992 Cavaillon (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The earthquake of 1770 cracked the buildings 

and not much was thrown down since Cavaillon is small. 

CHF(7)

WHB(7)

SISF(7)

-73.5466 18.2630 Saint Louis du Sud (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The earthquake of 1770, it caused a few CHF(7)
45

June 3, 1770

damages. WHB(6.5)

SISF(6)

-73.3447 18.5028 Anse-a-Veau (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): The church that is made of masonry * * * it was 

very cracked by the earthquake of 1770 and the presbytery and the buildings 

seem to be marking the North-Western point of the Southern part where this 

event made itself cruelly felt in a remarkable way. 

CHF(7)

WHB(6.5)

SISF(7)

-72.0984 18.3755 Saint Michel du Sud (Scherer, 1912a): St. Michel du Sud did indeed have its church and its 

presbytery badly dealt with. 

CHF(7)

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SISF(6.5)

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit Goave (Moreau de Jonnes, 1822): June 3, at 7 o'clock in the evening, in [Hispaniola] 

and most of the West Indies; Leogane, Petit-Goave and Port-au-Prince, 

were destroyed, the shocks were in the East to West direction. For a month, 

there was not a day that shocks were not felt. 

(Southey, 1827): Petit Goave and Leogane were also destroyed. The plains of 

Leogane, Port-au-Prince, Petit-Goave, suffered considerably – all the sugar 

works were destroyed. 

(Scherer, 1912a): Petit Goave also did not escape unharmed. A single house 

remained standing and in the city all the important buildings, the fort even, 

was destroyed. * * * At Petit Goave enormous masses of earth slipped from 

Mont Tapion and made the roads impassable.

CHF(9)

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-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): At the same hour as in Port-au-Prince, we felt in 

Cayes the earthquake of June 3, 1770. The buildings for inventory made of 

masonry suffered greatly and some of them fell. The barracks that housed 

three and a half companies were rendered inhabitable. The cross that is 

above the facade of the church was turned in a direction that put it at a right 

angle from its ordinary direction. The earth opened in several places near 

the sea and part of the shore was lowered nearly six inches. Out of these 

openings came a sulfurous smell and it seemed to come from several 

sources. Half an hour after the earthquake, there was a fairly violent jerk 

and a minute later a very small one and that was the last one. The little 

Carpes River grew nine feet and overcame its banks flooding the fields. It 

then returned to its natural course. The plain suffered very little and during 

this earthquake nobody lost their life. 

CHF(7)

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-74.3959 18.3242 Tiburon (Scherer, 1912a): The earthquake was felt severely in the extreme west, at 

Tiburon and at the island Pierre Joseph. 

CHF(6)

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46

June 3, 1770

S&L1992(6)

T&R1977(6)

-74.4673 18.4588 Isle Pierre Joseph (Scherer, 1912a): The earthquake was felt severely in the extreme west, at 

Tiburon and at the island Pierre Joseph. 

CHF(6)

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-72.6978 19.1081 Saint Marc (Gentleman’s Magazine, 1770a; Annual Register, 1771a): St. Mark’s [St. Marc], 

Port de Paix, the Cape [Cape Haitien], and Fort Dauphin [Fort Liberte], only felt 

the shock as they did at the Mole [Mole-St.Nicolas] 

(Scherer, 1912a): More to the north, at St. Marc, the shock was scarcely 

perceptible.

-

-72.6933 19.2464 Plain Artibonite (Scherer, 1912a): The plain of the Artibonite however, sustained some hurt 

and it was claimed that the Eaux de Boyenes (Port-au-Piment) a cold 

mineral spring disappeared. 

CHF(6)

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-72.9872 19.6123 Port-au-Piment (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): Earthquakes are fairly common in Eaux de 

Boyenes, and these waters then exhale a larger amount of sulfur dioxide. It 

is claimed that the June 3, 1770 caused the disappearance of a cold water 

spring. 

CHF(6)

WHB(-)

-71.8370 19.6668 Fort Liberte 

(Fort Dauphin)

(Gentleman’s Magazine, 1770a; Annual Register, 1771a): St. Mark’s [St. Marc], 

Port de Paix, the Cape [Cape Haitien], and Fort Dauphin [Fort Liberte], only felt 

the shock as they did at the Mole [Mole-St.Nicolas] 

(Scherer, 1912a): But this earthquake of the Southern depression behaved in 

a much more remarkable manner from Mole St. Nicolas to Fort Liberte in 

the Northern Depression. Houses were damaged. 

CHF(6)

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-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Gentleman’s Magazine, 1770a; Annual Register, 1771a): St. Mark’s [St. Marc], 

Port de Paix, the Cape [Cape Haitien], and Fort Dauphin [Fort Liberte], only felt 

the shock as they did at the Mole [Mole-St.Nicolas] 

(Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): [...] felt strongly, though without injury. 

CHF(4)

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-72.8370 19.9408 Port-de-Paix (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): Besides the earthquake of June 3, 1770 * * * we 

felt a jolt. 

(Scherer, 1912a): [...] and at Port de Paix for instance the facade and the 

doorway of the church were thrown down.

CHF(5)

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-73.3745 19.8052 Mole-St. Nicolas (Gentleman’s Magazine, July 1770a): An account received at the General Post 

Office, that on Sunday the 3d of June, about 15 minutes after seven in the 

CHF(6)

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47

June 3, 1770

evening they felt, at Cape Nicola Mole, four violent shocks of an 

earthquake; the most severe lasted two minutes and a half, accompanied 

with a noise much like the echo that is heard from the hills after the firing of 

cannon, but the town fortunately received no damage. 

(Southey, 1827): Upon the 3rd of June, about a quarter past seven in the 

evening, four violent shocks of an earthquake were felt at Cape Nicola 

Mole, in St. Domingo (island): the most severe lasted two minutes and a 

half, accompanied with a noise much like the echo from the hills after the 

firing of a cannon. The town did not receive any damage. 

SISF(7)

S&L1992(5)

T&R1977(6)

-69.8877 18.4744 Santo Domingo (Scherer, 1912a): To the east region of the lakes was covered with cracks

several feet in depth and it is presumed that the plains of Neyba and of Azua 

had again to suffer for at Santo Domingo the shock was felt vigorously but 

without great damage it seems. 

(Taber, 1922): It was strong at Santo Domingo City but no great damage 

resulted. 

(de Utrera, 1995): June 3 at 7:25 PM. Island, almost all the population 

suffered great damage; Santo Domingo saw the repeat of the effects of May 

9, 1673. 

CHF(5)

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C1972(8)

-70.7291 18.4534 Azua (Garcia, 1900): In 1770 * * * an earthquake, like no other ever felt in the 

Antilles, which was felt from one extreme part of the island to the other on 

June 3, and as a consequence the whole population in general experienced 

either great or little damage. 

(Scherer, 1912a): To the east region of the lakes was covered with cracks 

several feet in depth and it is presumed that the plains of Neyba and of Azua 

had again to suffer for at Santo Domingo the shock was felt vigorously but 

without great damage it seems.

CHF(6)

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-71.4178 18.4832 Neiba (Garcia, 1900): In 1770 * * * an earthquake, like no other ever felt in the 

Antilles, which was felt from one extreme part of the island to the other on 

June 3, and as a consequence the whole population in general experienced 

either great or little damage. 

(Scherer, 1912a): To the east region of the lakes was covered with cracks 

several feet in depth and it is presumed that the plains of Neyba and of Azua 

-
48

June 3, 1770

had again to suffer for at Santo Domingo the shock was felt vigorously but 

without great damage it seems.

-71.7151 18.4211 Laguna Icotea (pond south of 

Enriquillo Lake)

(Moreau de St. Méry, 1796): L’Etang Salé [Enriquillo Lake] and L’Etang Doux 

[Laguna Icotea] were bordered by crevasses a few of which are up to six feet 

deep. They are regarded as signs of earthquakes, notably that of June 3, 

1770. 

(Garcia, 1900): In 1770 * * * an earthquake, like no other ever felt in the 

Antilles, which was felt from one extreme part of the island to the other on 

June 3, and as a consequence the whole population in general experienced 

either great or little damage. 

(Scherer, 1912a): To the east region of the lakes was covered with cracks 

several feet in depth and it is presumed that the plains of Neyba and of Azua 

had again to suffer for at Santo Domingo the shock was felt vigorously but 

without great damage it seems. 

CHF(6)

WHB(-)

-76.7909 17.9840 Kingston, Jamaica (Gentleman’s Magazine, 1770c; Annual Register, 1771c): By Letters received 

from Jamaica it appears that the late earthquake, which happened in 

Hispaniola, was felt all over that island, but no considerable damage 

happened. 

(Gentleman’s Magazine, 1770b): Between seven and eight in the evening an 

earthquake was felt at Kingston, and the adjacent Country. It was not 

preceded, as usual, with a rumbling subterraneous noise; but in its motion 

from North and South, resembled the rolling of the waves of the sea. It 

lasted about a minute and caused in many people a swimming in the head 

and a sickness at the stomach. 

(Long, 1774): The shock felt in June, 1770, which broke out somewhere 

about Port au Prince, in Hispaniola, and about 230 miles distance from the 

Eastern district of Jamaica [...] Yet its efforts were so much spent, before 

they reached Jamaica, that only a few old chimneys, slightly built, and two 

or three crazy walls in the country, were thrown down by the shock in this 

island. 

(Tomblin and Robson, 1977): Some old chimneys and two or three hovels 

(shed or hut) on the island of Jamaica also tumbled down Tomblin &

CHF(6)

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SISF(6)

S&L1992(6)

T&R1977(6)
49

June 3, 1770

Robson note that most likely it was felt on the eastern end of Jamaica. 

July, 1770

Time: Unknown

Phenomenon Notes: Aftershocks of June 3, 1770

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

- - Hispaniola (Perrey, 1857): During the month of July there were twenty tremors. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): July 1770, 20 shocks. 

-

August, 1770

Time: Unknown

Phenomenon Notes: Aftershocks of June 3, 1770

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

- - Hispaniola (Perrey, 1857): There were only nine during the month of August; the 

number and violence (of the shocks) decreasing the rest of the year. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): August 1770, 9 shocks. 

-

December 3, 1770

Time: Unknown

Phenomenon Notes: Possible Aftershock

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit Goave (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): * * * that of December 3, 1770 there was only 

one house left in the city, and two cracked wings of the barracks that were 

made of masonry. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): December 3. 

-

July 10, 1771

Time: 6:14 in the morning, Cap Haitien local time

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 2 
50

July 10, 1771

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): A small one was observed in July 10, 1771 at 

6:14 in the morning, with a stronger one at 4 o'clock in the morning on the 

October 3, of that same year, right before the collapse of the church arch, 

and one violent one on August 4, 1776 at 4 in the morning. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): July 10, 6:00 early, duration 2 seconds, N-S direction, 

Cap Haitien. 

-

-72.3400 18.5400 Port-au-Prince (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): On the July 10, 1771, the earth shook at 6 in the 

morning from the direction of North to South. The shaking lasted 2 seconds.

(Tippenhauer, 1893): July 10, 6:15 evening, Port-au-Prince. 

-

October 3, 1771

Time: 4:00 in the morning, Cap Haitien local time

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): A small one was observed in July 10, 1771 at 

6:14 in the morning, with a stronger one at 4 o'clock in the morning on the 

October 3, of that same year, right before the collapse of the church arch, 

and one violent one on August 4, 1776 at 4 in the morning. 

-

January 30, 1776

Time: Unknown

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

- - Hispaniola - Spanish side (de Utrera, 1995): 30 of January, eastern side of the island. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): January 30, Spanish side. 

-

August 4, 1776

Time: 4:00 in the morning, Cap Haitien local time

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 
51

August 4, 1776

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): A small one was observed in July 10, 1771 at 

6:14 in the morning, with a stronger one at 4 o'clock in the morning on the 

October 3, of that same year, right before the collapse of the church arch, 

and one violent one on August 4, 1776 at 4 in the morning. 

-

February 11, 1783

Time: Unknown

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-70.7075 19.4502 Santiago de los Caballeros (de Utrera, 1995): 11 and 12 of February, Santiago de los Caballeros, serious 

damage to the churches and houses made of brick. 

-

-72.3400 18.5400 Port-au-Prince (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): We did not feel earthquakes until 11 and 12 of 

February 1783, there were three of which 2 were quite strong. 

-

July 25, 1784

Time: 6:14 in the morning, Cap Haitien local time

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): In the year 1784, there were four strong 

earthquakes in the Cape; one on July 25, at 6:14 in the morning, with three 

tremors of considerable strength and movement directed in a South-West to 

North-East direction. The second on August 24, at 1:03 in the morning; the 

third on September 29, at 11:25 in the evening and the fourth on November 

27. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): July 25, 6:45 evening, SW-NE direction, Cap Haitien 

and Fort Dauphin [Fort Liberte], fairly strong, 3 shocks. 

-

-72.3400 18.5400 Port-au-Prince (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): In July, 1784, we felt two slight (tremors) 

directed in an East to West direction. One on August 28, and one on 

December 11. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): July 25, 6:14 evening, E-W (?) direction, Port-auPrince, 2 shocks. 

-
52

July 29, 1784

Time: 9:10 in the evening (?) Cap Haitien local time

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 3 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Perrey, 1843): 29 of July in the Cape, strong shaking. The Cape had 12 

houses thrown down.

(Tippenhauer, 1893): July 29, 9:10 evening, Cap Haitien. 

-

-72.6929 19.4458 Leogane (Perrey, 1843): Leogane suffered greatly and Goave was completely ruined. -

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit Goave (Perrey, 1843): Leogane suffered greatly and Goave was completely ruined. -

January 10, 1785

Time: 9:30 in the morning, Cap Haitien local time

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): January 10, at 9:03 in the morning, violent 

shaking from an earthquake * * * there were three in 1785; one on January 

10, the second on February 19, and the third and strongest one on July 10 at 

night. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): January 10, before 9:30, Fort Liberté and Cap Haitien, 

the shock was accompanied by a startling noise. 

-

December, 1786

Time: Unknown

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): One was felt in 1786 in the month of December. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): December, Cap Haitien and Plaisance. 

-

-72.4685 19.5974 Plaisance (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): During the two months of November and 

December 1786, it was felt in Plaisance four tremors from earthquakes from 

the North-East.

-
53

Earthquakes of the 19th Century: 

Intensity, Mercalli Magnitude Intensities (3-10); CHF, assigned by C. H. Flores (author); WHB, assigned by W. H. Bakun (author); SISF, assigned by 

(SiSFrance/Antilles (2010); S&L1992, assigned by Shepherd and Lynch (1992); T&R1977, Tomblin and Robson (1977); C1972, assigned by Campbell (1972); -

, no assignment given.

November 20, 1818

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Gay-Lussac and Arago, 1818): * * * there have been eight earthquakes since 

the months of December up to that of May. 

(Moreau de Jonnes, 1822): Two strong tremors. 

(Gay-Lussac, 1826): November 20; Cap Henry (Haiti); two strong tremors. 

(Mallet and Mallet, 1858): Nov. 20, 1818 – Cape Henri [Cap Haitien] in St. 

Domingo, Two severe shocks, Five persons were killed and some houses 

were destroyed. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): November 20, Cap Haitien. 

-

December 20, 1818

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

- - Island/ Haiti (Gay-Lussac and Arago, 1818): * * * there have been eight earthquakes since 

the months of December up to that of May. 

(Moreau de Jonnes, 1822: violent shock. 

(Gay-Lussac, 1826): December 20, St. Domingo, violent shock. 

(Mallet and Mallet, 1858): violent shock. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): December 20, Haiti. 

-
54

November 19, 1825

Time: In the morning

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Gay-Lussac and Arago, 1825): November 19, 1825 – in the morning, Port-auPrince, Violent tremors. 

(Perrey, 1847; Perrey, 1843): In the morning, in Port-a-Prince, violent shaking 

for 4 to 5 seconds with a thud from the south-east; the 3 rd this year. 

(Mallet and Mallet, 1858): Violent shocks lasting four or five seconds. This is 

said to have been the third earthquake of the year, Accompanied by a dull 

noise coming from the SE. 

-

March 31, 1829

Time: 4:30 in the evening, Port-au-Prince local time

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Le Constitutionnel, 1829): It was felt here [Port-a-Prince], March 31, at half 

past four in the evening, two strong shocks from earthquakes, which 

fortunately have not been detrimental. 

(Gay-Lussac and Arago, 1829): On March 31, 4h. 1⁄2 in the afternoon; Port-auPrince, Haiti, two strong tremors. 

(Perrey, 1843): March 31, 4:30 in the evening, in Port-au-Prince (Haiti), 2 

strong shocks. 

-

March 29, 1830 to March 30, 1830

Time: 11: 30 at night, 12:30 (half past midnight) and 1:00 in the morning, Port-au-Prince local time 

Phenomenon Notes: Three shocks occurred over a period of 3 hours.

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Eyries and others, 1830): A captain who was in Santo Domingo [island] 

where the latest earthquakes were felt on this island, has recounted this 

event in the following manner: “On March 29, three violent shakes shook 

-
55

March 29, 1830 to March 30, 1830

the entire city of Port-au-Prince, the first movement took place at half past 

eleven in the evening, the second at half past midnight, and the last at one in 

the morning. These consecutive shocks, which alarmed all the people 

already deep in sleep, produced no fatal accidents. The undulation of each 

lasted more than two seconds”. 

(Perrey, 1843): Night of 29 to 30 March, 11:30, 00:30, 1:00, three violent 

shakes. Each lasted more than 2 seconds. 

(Mallet and Mallet, 1858): March 29, 1830, 11h 30m PM, Port-au-Prince in St. 

Domingo, A violent shock, lasting more than two seconds, March 30, 1830, 

0h 30m AM, ditto. 

April 14, 1830

Time: 6:30 in the evening, Port-au-Prince local time 

Phenomenon Notes: Also felt by ships at sea.

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Eyries and others, 1830): More captain description: “Fifteen days after, April 

14, at half past six in the evening, a shock more violent than any they had 

previously experienced spread terror everywhere, which lasted from four to 

five seconds, and was accompanied by a noise resembling the strike of 

thunder, when it is lost in distant echoes in the cavities of huge hills that 

dominate our cities in the tropics. The houses built of stone and brick 

suffered greatly. All objects that were fragile that you find on shelves or on 

tables in the pharmacies and restaurants were shattered. The terror was 

general.” [Also describes being felt by a ship at sea].

(Perrey, 1843): [quotes part of captain account] The first shock was from E-W 

and the second W-E.

(Mallet and Mallet, 1858): April 14, 1830, about 6h 30m PM, Island of St. 

Domingo, two other shocks more violent than those of March 29, 30.

Duration = 4 or 5 seconds. The first shock was from E. to W. and the second 

from W. to E. The shocks were felt on board vessels both in port and on the 

open sea. Accompanied by noise like distant thunder when it loses itself in 

the echoes of mountain ravines. Houses of brick and stone suffered 

-
56

April 14, 1830

severely.

September 6, 1840

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Perrey, 1843): An earthquake in Port-au-Prince. 

(Mallet and Mallet, 1858): September 6, 1840, Port-au-Prince in St. Domingo. 

-

April 13, 1841

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Perrey, 1843): An earthquake in Port-au-Prince. 

(Mallet and Mallet, 1858): March 13, 1841 Port-au-Prince in St. Domingo. 

-

May 7, 1842

Time: About 5:37 in the evening, Santo Domingo local time

Land Surface Observations: The Yaque River near Santiago split and one of the splits reversed flow direction for a short period before returning to its normal flow 

(Ardouin, 1860). Salt and bitumen (?) springs appeared along the coastal mountains. The Ozama river in Santo Domingo overflowed causing ships tied along the 

river to run aground and pitch strongly. The mountain behind St. Marc was said to have divided in two with a fissure wide enough for a carriage to pass (El 

Constitucional, 1842a). 

Tsunami: Observed first outflow of 200 paces and then inflow 15 feet tall at Port-de-Paix and the sea overtook the river deltas of the Yaque in Monte Cristi and 

Massacre near Fort Liberte flooding the neighboring regions (Ardouin, 1860). High waves were noticed in Anse-a-Veau and Jeremie on the southern peninsula. 

Aftershocks: Several aftershocks felt for hours and many felt for days after the event. Besides the cities most affected by the initial shocks, aftershocks were felt as 

far away as Añasco, Puerto Rico. 

Phenomenon Notes: Some sources record this event as being as long as five minutes. However, Puerto Plata and Port-au-Prince describe two shocks in very 

close succession, the second of the two being stronger and more powerful. About half of the population of Cap Haitien died and about 2,000 died combined between 

Santiago de los Caballeros and La Vega. This earthquake was far reaching in that ground oscillations were observed in various bodies of water in Louisiana (L’Ami 

de la Religion, 1842b). 

Number of Observations: 50 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (L’Ami de la Religion, 1842a): A correspondent has written to us from Cap 

Haitien, on board the Condor, on May 12, and that not a single house stands 

CHF(9)

WHB(9)

SISF(9.5)
57

May 7, 1842

after the terrible catastrophe of the 7th. Our correspondent was on a balcony 

with a few people at the moment the earthquake began; at each shake a 

piece of wall was falling; they lasted forty to fifty seconds, during which a 

hail of cinder blocks and stones fell on the unfortunate who sought to 

escape. The noise from the falling houses was frightening. The church 

which was the pride of the city was ruined from top to bottom. For six 

hours, for three to five minutes long, there were repeated shocks * * * Our 

correspondent spent a frightful night at the Foselle, among the dead, the 

dying and the wounded that did not cease to bring in their friends, after 

having withdrawn with difficulty from under the rubble. On the banks there 

has been established ambulances filled with the wounded. Port-au-Prince 

suffered little. The houses made of wood resisted better than the stone 

houses. The fire that burst after the first shock has lasted four days and four 

nights. It took only forty-eight hours for the population from the 

surrounding villages to come to the city and pillage. At the edge of the sea, 

we saw the poor wretches compete for each other's spoils and each other's 

throats and remain rightful owners. Many have been killed like ferocious 

animals by the armed inhabitants defending their property. Half of the 

population perished, and among the foreigners and their clerks, only three 

were killed. On May 14, slight shocks still continued, it has not rained and 

we dread new misfortunes. 

S&L1992(9)

T&R1977(9)

-72.8370 19.9408 Port-de-Paix (Public Ledger, 1842): The other towns and villages besides our own and 

those enumerated above, which have most seriously suffered (some of 

which are entirely demolished,) are Porto Paix, Gonaives, St. Marc, MoleSt. Nichols, St. Louis du Nord, Fort Dauphine [Fort Liberte] , Limbeport, 

Margot, Borgne, La Grande Riviere, Laxavon and Altamira, which, together 

with Porto Plata [Puerto Plata], Cape Haitien, Santiago, St. Osero [Santa 

Cerro] , and La Vega, before mentioned, make in all 17 towns and villages, 

with loss of lives in nearly all...The direction taken by the earthquake, 

which proved the most severe in its effects, was along the Northern and 

North-eastern part; all the other parts of our Island have experienced the 

shock, though only in a partial and limited degree. 

(Scherer, 1912a): The town of Port de Paix had even more to suffer; it was 

thrown down by the shock and overwhelmed by a wave.

CHF(9)

WHB(9)

SISF(9)

S&L1992(9)

T&R1977(9)

-73.3745 19.8052 Mole-Saint Nicolas (SisFrance/Antilles, 2010 quoting Journal de la Drome, June 22, 1842): The cities CHF(9)

WHB(9)
58

May 7, 1842

of Saint-Nicolas and Port-Paix were destroyed. It is assumed that the 

northern towns on the island are also a mass of ruins. 

(Scherer, 1912a): Mole St. Nicolas, firmly constructed of stone, was 

fortified; it had warehouses, barracks, a fine church and aqueducts bringing 

water from a distance. The earthquake ruined it entirely. Of the city only a 

“plan par terre” remained and nothing more.

SISF(9)

S&L1992(9)

T&R1977(9)

-71.8397 19.6668 Fort Liberte (McCann and others, 2011 quoting the Jamaica Morning Journal, June 16, 1842): 

The villages of Port-Margot, Borgne, Ouanaminthe and the town of Fort 

Liberte experienced somewhat approaching a coup-de-grace. 

(Scherer, 1912a): The churches of Borgne, of Port Margo, of Fort Liberté –

the most beautiful one in the island – of Limonade, of Quartier Morin, those 

of Cap Haitien and of Acul du Nord were completely destroyed or badly 

damaged. 

CHF(9)

WHB(9)

SISF(8)

S&L1992(9)

T&R1977(9)

-70.7075 19.4502 Santiago de los Caballeros (El Constitutional, 1842b): The horrific earthquake that has devastated Haiti 

did not spare the ancient Spanish part of the island. The city of Santiago has 

been completely destroyed: it is reported that up to 2000 persons have died. 

(Public Ledger, 1842): The fine town of Santiago, about 60 miles distant in 

the interior, and the center of our agricultural commerce in this part, has 

been entirely destroyed – the population, consisting of about 6,000 souls, of 

which 500 are buried in the ruins. Further in the interior, the towns of Vega 

and St. Osero [Santa Cerro] have met with similar fates.

(Scherer, 1912a): The houses were well constructed, low and without stories, 

the parochial church resembled a strong castle, all were thrown down in an 

instant, around Santiago, springs appeared and the ground cracked in many 

places, Yaqui River suddenly heaved up, drove its waters in a torrent up and 

down the stream. The subsidence came about as suddenly and the stream 

again took its course. 

CHF(9)

WHB(9)

SISF(8)

S&L1992(9)

T&R1977(9)

-70.7816 19.4521 Hato Yaque (McCann and others, 2011 quoting the Jamaica Morning Journal June 22, 1842): 

Saint Yague – * * * lay in ruins. All its edifices had fallen. 

(McCann and others, 2011 quoting Nouel, 1979): From the place called “Paso 

de los Borbones” at the edges of the River Yague in Santiago, to the river 

Gurabito, a distance of about half a league, the earth opened along its 

CHF(9)

WHB(9)
59

May 7, 1842

longitude making a wide and deep crevice cutting part of the city. 

-72.7239 19.9337 Saint Louis du Nord (McCann and others, 2011 quoting the Jamaica Morning Journal, June 22, 1842):

St. Louis- in the north, there has been much damage done, as also at 

Montecristi. 

CHF(8)

WHB(-)

-72.4291 19.7512 Port Margot (McCann and others, 2011 quoting the Jamaica Morning Journal, June 16, 1842): 

The villages of Port-Margot, Borgne, Ouanaminthe and the town of Fort 

Liberte experienced somewhat approaching a coup-de-grace. 

(Scherer, 1912a): Severe damage, church destroyed or severely damaged. 

CHF(8)

WHB(-)

-70.6937 19.7971 Puerto Plata (Public Ledger, 1842, printed letter dated May 20, 1842): On the 7th day of May 

the Island of Hayti was visited with an earthquake, which in its destructive 

effects has proven itself to be the severest which we have ever had on 

record * * * In the afternoon of that day, at about half-past 5 o'clock, I was 

standing on the square, which is situated in an elevated part of this town. 

The sky was uncommonly serene, and the descending sun promised to be 

bright and glorious in its setting. Just then, casting my eyes towards Mount 

Isabella, which overlooks the town, I perceived a dark vapor ascending and 

enveloping its base and sides – a rolling, rumbling sound immediately 

succeeded, and instantaneously came a shock which nearly dashed me to the 

ground. The level of the square appeared undulating like the waves of the

sea – a faint and sickly sensation came over me and dizziness and difficulty 

in breathing. The houses rocked to and fro like vessels in a storm. The 

ground was rent in various parts. Many persons were thrown down by the 

force of the concussion; others were reeling as in a state of drunkenness. 

Every moment we expected the earth to open and engulf us. A second 

shock followed, yet stronger than the former, accompanied by the same 

appearances, effects and terrors. The church, a strong, and massive building, 

seemed tottering to its fall, - the bricks flew from the solitary masonry as if 

from projectiles; while fissures appeared in the walls and arches, and the 

whole would have been leveled but for the uncommon strength of the 

outside buttresses, and the lowness of the building * * * The second shock 

must have lasted about 60 seconds. Fortunately for us, our town is almost 

entirely constructed of wood, which alone accounts for its preservation. The 

stone buildings suffered materially, and some of the finest were entirely 

destroyed. From the 7th up to the present date, we have been in a continued 

state of alarm – upwards of 40 shocks having taken place during that 

CHF(8)

WHB(7)

SISF(7.5)
60

May 7, 1842

interval, some more or less severe. 

-70.5327 19.2239 La Vega (El Constitutional, 1842b): In La Vega they suffered in part a great disruption. 

(Public Ledger, July 15, 1842): The fine town of Santiago, about 60 miles 

distant in the interior, and the center of our agricultural commerce in this 

part, has been entirely destroyed – the population, consisting of about 6,000 

souls, of which 500 are buried in the ruins. Further in the interior, the towns 

of Vega and St. Osero [Santa Cerro] have met with similar fates. 

(McCann and others, 2011 quoting the Saint Thomas Tidende May 25, 1842): The 

news arrived from the Vega and Santiago this morning. The mortality in 

those places is estimated to two thousand buried under the ruins. 

(Scherer, 1912a): Destroyed at the same time were the churches of La Véga, 

of Santa Cerro, of San Francisco de Macoris, of Moca, and of Cotui.

CHF(8)

WHB(8)

SISF(7)

-71.6507 19.8474 Monte Cristi (McCann and others, 2011 quoting the Jamaica Morning Journal, June 22, 1842): 

St. Louis- in the north, there has been much damage done, as also at 

Montecristi. 

CHF(7.5)

WHB(-)

-72.1260 19.6688 Limonade (Scherer, 1912a): The churches of Borgne, of Port Margo, of Fort Liberté –

the most beautiful one in the island – of Limonade, of Quartier Morin, those 

of Cap Haitien and of Acul du Nord were completely destroyed or badly 

damaged.

CHF(7)

WHB(7)

-72.3197 19.6803 Acul du Nord (Scherer, 1912a): The churches of Borgne, of Port Margo, of Fort Liberté –

the most beautiful one in the island – of Limonade, of Quartier Morin, those 

of Cap Haitien and of Acul du Nord were completely destroyed or badly 

damaged.

CHF(7)

WHB(7)

-72.5230 19.8463 Borgne (McCann and others, 2011 quoting the Jamaica Morning Journal, June 16, 1842): 

The villages of Port-Margot, Borgne, Ouanaminthe and the town of Fort 

Liberte experienced somewhat approaching a coup-de-grace. 

(Scherer, 1912a): Severe damage, church destroyed or severely damaged. 

CHF(7)

WHB(7)

-72.2186 19.6047 Sans Souci Palace (Scherer, 1912a): And the majestic palace, Sans Souci, of king Christopher, 

with the church, suffered the same fate. [completely destroyed or badly 

damaged]

CHF(7)

WHB(7)

-72.1575 19.6973 Quartier Morin (Scherer, 1912a): The churches of Borgne, of Port Margo, of Fort Liberté –

the most beautiful one in the island – of Limonade, of Quartier Morin, those 

CHF(7)

WHB(7)
61

May 7, 1842

of Cap Haitien and of Acul du Nord were completely destroyed or badly 

damaged. 

-71.7223 19.5501 Ouanaminthe (McCann and others, 2011 quoting the Jamaica Morning Journal, June 16, 1842): 

The villages of Port-Margot, Borgne, Ouanaminthe and the town of Fort 

Liberte experienced somewhat approaching a coup-de-grace. 

(Scherer, 1912a): Severe damage. 

CHF(7)

WHB(7)

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Adams Sentinel, 1842): We learn * * * that Captain Varins of the brig. 

Pandora, which arrived at this port, this morning, states that an earthquake 

took place on the 7th of May at Gonaives, at half past four o'clock P.M. It 

was preceded by a groaning of the earth, and thus the inhabitants were 

warned in time to escape; they rushed into the streets as it were by instinct 

and consequently the loss of life was small, two only being killed. He states 

further that there were four distinct shocks in the course of a minute, two of 

them horizontal and two of them perpendicular, and at each he judges the 

earth moved about 6 feet. Nearly all the buildings were destroyed, and the 

few left standing were of wood, and so shattered as to be useless; they 

would be taken down. Most of the buildings at Gonaives were of wood and 

only one story, which would account for the small loss of life. 

(SisFrance/Antilles, 2010 quoting Journal de la Drome, June 22, 1842): In 

Gonaives, the prison, the church, the National Palace, the stock market, the 

arsenal, were overthrown and destroyed. The city presented a lamentable 

appearance. All inmates that were not buried in the ruins fled * * * The 

main shock, which disrupted Gonaives, lasted five minutes. It was followed 

during the night by twenty others, shorter and less violent.

CHF(7)

WHB(7)

SISF(8)

-70.5246 19.3929 Moca (Scherer, 1912a): Destroyed at the same time were the churches of La Véga, 

of Santa Cerro, of San Francisco de Macoris, of Moca, and of Cotui. 

CHF(7)

WHB(7)

-70.1531 19.0577 Cotui (Hazard, 1873): We paid a visit to the old church that had been standing 

many hundred years, and bore over the main door a crack caused by the 

great earthquake of 1842. 

(Scherer, 1912a): Destroyed at the same time were the churches of La Véga, 

of Santa Cerro, of San Francisco de Macoris, of Moca, and of Cotui. 

CHF(7)

WHB(7)

-70.2593 19.2969 San Francisco de Macoris (Scherer, 1912a): Destroyed at the same time were the churches of La Véga, 

of Santa Cerro, of San Francisco de Macoris, of Moca, and of Cotui. 

CHF(7)

WHB(7)
62

May 7, 1842

-70.5468 19.2797 Santa Cerro (Public Ledger, 1842): The fine town of Santiago, about 60 miles distant in 

the interior, and the center of our agricultural commerce in this part, has 

been entirely destroyed – the population, consisting of about 6,000 souls, of 

which 500 are buried in the ruins. Further in the interior, the towns of Vega 

and St. Osero [Santa Cerro] have met with similar fates. 

(Scherer, 1912a): Destroyed at the same time were the churches of La Véga, 

of Santa Cerro, of San Francisco de Macoris, of Moca, and of Cotui.

(de Utrera, 1995): The church fell to the ground in 1842.

CHF(7)

WHB(7)

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (La Presse, 1842): The letters from Saint-Domingue, May 14, announce that 

the city shook, on the 7, by an earthquake that lasted 2 minutes. The city 

suffered greatly; the inhabitants in fear deserted their homes. The Ozama 

river grew suddenly three meters. 

(Journal de Débats Politiques et Littéraires, 1842): Letters come directly from 

Santo Domingo; we provide details on the cursed effects from the southern 

part of the island. Here are excerpts from letters contained in the Journal du 

Havre from the 27th: May 14, 1842. “Since the 7th instant, at five hours 

thirty-two minutes in the afternoon, our poor city of Santo Domingo 

plunged into the deepest desolation as a result of the horrible earthquake 

that lasted about eighty-five seconds and whose oscillations and violent 

shaking put our houses in a state of ruin making them uninhabitable. Three 

quarters of the inhabitants of the town have been compelled to take refuge 

in the suburbs and surrounding areas. The tremors continued with less 

violence until yesterday...” Here is an extract from the captain Ducormier, 

commanding Le Jean-Maurice who brought the letters from Santo Domingo 

previously: “On May 7, 1842, at five hours thirty-seven minutes in the 

evening, in Santo-Domingo was felt, and well as in its surroundings, a very 

violent earthquake, accompanied by a strong thud from inside the earth. The 

first shock was felt from the bottom to top, and the second from north to 

south. The sun, which was still above the horizon, no longer gave a low 

brightness, and a very thick dust covered the area of the city. For a minute 

and a few seconds the earthquake lasted, it would be difficult to express 

dismay of the population, saving or jumping from windows, to take refuge 

in the squares or middle of the streets to avoid the debris from houses 

falling to the ground. The cathedral and many other churches were 

CHF(6.5)

WHB(6.5)

SISF(7)

S&L1992(6)
63

May 7, 1842

damaged, and in general all the houses were more or less mistreated; many

among them are uninhabitable. The land near the customs opened in many 

places and emitted a strong smell of sulfur. The ships in the river ran 

aground on their anchors and pitched strongly, the river flowed over its 

bank usually three to four feet way and then resumed back to its usual level. 

At night, the entire population had fled outside the city or camped in the 

streets; at half past eleven in the evening of the same day, there was a shock 

but weak; and for eight days the earth shook three or four times every 

twenty four hours. At my departure, the city was entirely deserted. There 

was no serious accident, thanks to the solidity of the houses and because 

this shock arrived during the day.” 

-70.5068 18.5471 Maniela

(Ocoa)

(U.S. Commission Inquiry to Santo Domingo, 1871): [Interview of Gen. Jean Cheri 

Victoria, February 25, 1871. Eyewitness lived in the village of Maniela which is in a 

valley at the foot of mountains on the road between Azua and Bani in what is today 

Ocoa.] I have seen heavy earthquakes here, especially the great earthquake 

of 1842 * * * I remember that I had mutton dinner, to which I had invited 

guests, on the day that the great earthquake of 1842 took place, and the 

earthquake interrupted us by rattling the dishes. 

CHF(6.5)

WHB(-)

-70.7333 18.4532 Azua (Scherer, 1912a): The churches of Azua, of Bayaguana, Bani, San 

Christobal, Boya, Monte Plata, San Carlos and of Higuey were seriously 

damaged. 

CHF(6.5)

WHB(6.5)

-70.3321 18.2799 Bani (Scherer, 1912a): The churches of Azua, of Bayaguana, Bani, San 

Christobal, Boya, Monte Plata, San Carlos and of Higuey were seriously 

damaged.

CHF(6.5)

WHB(6.5)

-69.6370 18.7520 Bayaguana (Scherer, 1912a): The churches of Azua, of Bayaguana, Bani, San 

Christobal, Boya, Monte Plata, San Carlos and of Higuey were seriously 

damaged. 

CHF(6.5)

WHB(6.5)

-70.1092 18.4158 San Cristobal (Scherer, 1912a): The churches of Azua, of Bayaguana, Bani, San 

Christobal, Boya, Monte Plata, San Carlos and of Higuey were seriously 

damaged. 

CHF(6.5)

WHB(6.5)

-69.7923 18.9458 Boya (Scherer, 1912a): The churches of Azua, of Bayaguana, Bani, San 

Christobal, Boya, Monte Plata, San Carlos and of Higuey were seriously 

damaged. 

CHF(6.5)

WHB(6.5)

-69.7845 18.8103 Monte Plata (Scherer, 1912a): The churches of Azua, of Bayaguana, Bani, San 

Christobal, Boya, Monte Plata, San Carlos and of Higuey were seriously 

CHF(6.5)

WHB(6.5)
64

May 7, 1842

damaged. 

-69.8940 18.4754 San Carlos Iglesia 

(near Santo Domingo)

(Scherer, 1912a): The churches of Azua, of Bayaguana, Bani, San 

Christobal, Boya, Monte Plata, San Carlos and of Higuey were seriously 

damaged. 

CHF(6.5)

WHB(6.5)

-68.7168 18.6154 Higuey (Scherer, 1912a): The churches of Azua, of Bayaguana, Bani, San 

Christobal, Boya, Monte Plata, San Carlos and of Higuey were seriously 

damaged. 

CHF(6.5)

WHB(6.5)

-69.0364 18.7648 Seybo (Scherer, 1912a): South of the zone of disaster, from Gonaives to Santo 

Domingo and Higuey, the shock was exceedingly violent.

(McCann and others, 2011 quoting Nouel, 1979): Of the churches at San Carlos, 

Monte Plata, Boya, Bani, Azua, Bayaguana, Seybo, Higuey, San Cristobal, 

Moca, Cotui, and Macoris, some were damaged and others were in a ruined 

state. 

CHF(6.5)

WHB(6.5)

-72.6978 19.1081 Saint Marc (SisFrance/Antilles, 2010 quoting Journal de la Drome, June 22, 1842): In SaintMarc, many houses were damaged, some destroyed but nobody perished. 

(El Constitutional, 1842a; L’Ami de la Religion, 1842b): The mountain which is 

behind Saint Marc has divided itself into two pieces, with a fissure so wide 

that carriages can pass through.

CHF(6)

WHB(6)

SISF(8)

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (SisFrance/Antilles, 2010 quoting Journal de la Drome, June 22, 1842): In the city 

of Port-au-Prince, there were two distinct shocks. The later one lasted three 

minutes. The first one was less prolonged. The streets were filled with 

people rushing out of their homes, which were expecting a similar 

catastrophe like in 1770. According to the newspaper Patriote, there is not 

a house that has been more or less damaged. The pediment of the Senate 

palace, on which were carved the arms of the republic, has detached and 

was broken. The shocks were repeated for several days, but they had lost 

their violence. 

(Annual Register, 1843): Port-au-Prince has suffered also, but only as regards 

breakage of glass, &c. ware and the walls (of two feet thick bricks) cracked 

in many places half an inch wide; at one place a brick pillar fell down also. 

Even here we could hardly keep on our legs, and the vessels rolled about 

very much. 

CHF(5)

WHB(5)

SISF(7)

S&L1992(7)

T&R1977(7)

-73.3447 18.5028 Anse-a-Veau (McCann and others, 2011 quoting the Jamaica Morning Journal, June 16, 1842): CHF(3.5)
65

May 7, 1842

7th May, at half past 5 * * * terrible commotion is felt, which lasts four 

minutes and some seconds. The oscillation from north to south * * * many 

houses[?] have been greatly damaged * * * suddenly the sea * * * burst 

with fury against the steep rocks with bind the coast * * * mighty gigantic 

waves * * * On the following night we continued to feel many shocks. 

WHB(-)

-73.0861 18.4395 Miragoave (McCann and others, 2011 quoting the Jamaica Morning Journal, June 6, 1842): It 

appears that all the south- Miragoave, St. Michel, Aquin, Les Cayes and 

Jeremie, have very slightly felt the shock. 

CHF(3)

WHB(3)

-73.0984 18.3755 Saint Michel du Sud (McCann and others, 2011 quoting the Jamaica Morning Journal, June 6, 1842): It 

appears that all the south- Miragoave, St. Michel, Aquin, Les Cayes and 

Jeremie, have very slightly felt the shock. 

CHF(3)

WHB(3)

-73.3971 18.2816 Aquin (McCann and others, 2011 quoting the Jamaica Morning Journal, June 6, 1842): It 

appears that all the south- Miragoave, St. Michel, Aquin, Les Cayes and 

Jeremie, have very slightly felt the shock. 

CHF(3)

WHB(3)

-73.7500 18.1950 Les Cayes (McCann and others, 2011 quoting the Jamaica Morning Journal, June 6, 1842): It 

appears that all the south- Miragoave, St. Michel, Aquin, Les Cayes and 

Jeremie, have very slightly felt the shock. 

CHF(3)

WHB(3)

-74.1145 18.6446 Jeremie (L’Ami de la Religion, 1842b): The tremor was felt at Jeremie but it did not 

cause havoc. The waters were instantly elevated to a height of six feet. 

CHF(3)

WHB(3)

-75.8296 20.0209 Santiago, Cuba (Scherer, 1912a): * * * and crossing the Windward Passage, the shock was 

felt the length of the Sierra Maestra in Cuba. Santiago de Cuba also counts 

this earthquake among the strongest the eastern part of the island of Cuba 

has experienced. 

(Chuy and Pino, 1982): * * * strongest the eastern part of the island has 

experienced, almost all the walls of the houses were cracked and very little 

more would have leveled the town. 

CHF(5)

WHB(-)

S&L1992(7)

T&R1977(7)

-74.4963 20.3459 Baracoa, Cuba (Chuy and Pino, 1982): Strong earthquake, along the outcrops of Yunque and 

Marcos Reyes, sections of the outcrops fell that measured about 20 meters 

long and about the same width. 

CHF(5)

WHB(-)

S&L1992(8)

-71.1462 21.4674 Cockburn Town,

Grand Turks Island

(McCann and others, 2011 quoting The Morning Journal Kingston Jamaica, May 17, 

1842): On the arrival of the Tweed at Turk's Island on the following evening 

[May 8] it was ascertained that a smart shock of an earthquake had been felt 

on the previous evening at five o'clock but no damage had been sustained. 

CHF(4)

WHB(4)

SISF(5)

S&L1992(5)

T&R1977(5)
66

May 7, 1842

(Tomblin and Robson, 1977): Turks Island - A severe shock of earthquake, 

Glassware rattled, salt ponds agitated.

-67.1414 18.2885 Añasco, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011 quoting Rodriguez, 1842): * * * that we need in this 

sacred parochial church [Añasco] to make repairs from the damages 

suffered as a result of the fierce earthquake that was experienced on May 

7th last with frequent reoccurrences * * * the roof work has been moved 

and broken by the effects of before mentioned earthquake. 

CHF(5)

WHB(5)

-66.6141 18.0115 Ponce, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011 quoting The Charleston Daily Courier, June 6, 1842): 

Earthquake at Ponce, PR – We are indebted to Capt. York, of the schooner

Independence from Ponce, for the following account of the shock felt at that 

place on the 7th inst. Capt. York states that he was sitting with a friend, 

when they suddenly felt a dizziness and excessive faintness, and upon 

attempting to walk found themselves acting like persons intoxicated. His 

companion then observed that the house rocked. They went out of doors and 

saw that the house rocked at least two feet. So great was the motion of the 

earth, that the casks of sugar and molasses on the beach rolled round 

making great havoc. The inhabitants were filled with the greatest terror * * 

* The shock was felt at 3 pm of 7th inst. And lasted about three minutes.

CHF(5)

WHB(5)

-67.1407 18.2009 Mayaguez, Puerto Rico (L’Ami de la Religion, 1842a): Apparently the tremor was felt in a wide range 

of locations. A ship arrived in New York from Mayaguez (island of Puerto 

Rico), to declare that a violent earthquake was felt in that city on May 7, on 

the same day as in Saint-Domingue (island). The terror and confusion was 

large in Mayaguez, the ground oscillated seeming to have some sort of ebbs 

and flows, but there are no reports of major disaster. 

(McCann and others, 2011 quoting The Charleston Daily Courier, June 20, 1842): 

Earthquake – Capt. Ward of the barque Condor which arrived yesterday 

morning from Mayaguez, informs us that the earthquake on the 7th of May 

was very severely felt there; and that up to the 30 of May when he sailed, 

there were from two to three shocks a day. The inhabitants were very fearful

of a similar shock to that which was felt on the 7th in other places.

CHF(4)

WHB(4)

-66.1057 18.4665 San Juan, Puerto Rico (El Constitucional, 1842c): By communication of the Captain General -

Governor of Puerto Rico dated June 4 past, we know that tranquility 

continues on the island; and even though they experienced on that evening 

of May 7 last the strong earthquake that caused such destruction on the 

island of Santo Domingo, it did not produce more destruction other than the 

CHF(3)

WHB(3)

S&L1992(5)

T&R1977(5)
67

May 7, 1842

injury of only a few buildings. 

-76.9525 17.9943 Spanish Town, Jamaica (McCann and others, 2011 quoting The Morning Journal Kingston, Jamaica May 13, 

1842): At Saint Jago [Spanish Town, Jamaica] where the Tweed arrived on 

Sunday morning, the shock was felt more severely than any previous one for 

the last eighteen years. Almost all the walls of the houses are cracked. 

CHF(4)

WHB(4)

-76.7929 17.9711 Kingston, Jamaica (McCann and others, 2011 quoting The Morning Journal Kingston, Jamaica May 13, 

1842): The Falmouth Post reports that the earthquake which was felt in this 

town on Saturday evening last [by Jamaican count this would be May 7], 

was also felt at Falmouth. There were three distinct shocks; it adds which 

appeared to vibrate from N.W. to S. 

(Hall, 1922): 1842, May 7, 3:15 PM, III – Shock sufficient to make houses 

rock. 

(Tomblin and Robson, 1977): Smart shock felt. 

CHF(3)

WHB(3)

S&L1992(5)

T&R1977(5)

-77.6575 18.4928 Falmouth, Jamaica (McCann and others, 2011 quoting The Morning Journal Kingston, Jamaica May 13, 

1842): The Falmouth Post reports that the earthquake which was felt in this 

town on Saturday evening last (by Jamaican count this would be May 7), 

was also felt at Falmouth. There were three distinct shocks; it adds which 

appeared to vibrate from N.W. to S. 

CHF(3)

WHB(3)

May 7, 1842, to June 28, 1842

Time: after 5:30 PM Santo Domingo local time on May 7th

Phenomenon Notes: Description of aftershocks in various places at various times of the day. 

Number of Observations: 4 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Mallet and Mallet, 1858): Succeeded by many slighter shocks on the 8th, 9th, 

and perhaps 10th. June 24 5h 30m AM, island St. Domingo, very severe 

shocks. 

(Garcia, 1900): [Aftershocks felt] Between 8 and 9 at night there was a small 

tremor that was repeated again between 9 and 10 at night, adding to the 

panic already caused by the catastrophe. On the 9th the earth shook again 

between 9 and 10 in the morning and at 11:30 there was another stronger 

tremor that was repeated at around 1 in the afternoon. On the 10th, there 

were two shocks at 7:30 and at 8:30 at night although both lightly and this 

was repeated at midnight. On the 11th, at about 2:30 in the morning there 

-
68

May 7, 1842, to June 28, 1842

was also a shock, another between 4:30 and 5 in the morning and again at 

10 at night. On the 12th there was also a tremor at about 6 in the morning, 

on the 14 at about 8 at night, on the 15th there were two late at night, on the 

16th there was one at 2 in the morning, on the 23rd there were two, one 

around 4 in the afternoon and another at about 6:30 at night, on the 6th of 

June it was said that three shocks occurred at night and another on the 27th 

of June at about 11 at night, and two on the 28th, one at 3 in the morning 

and the other between 4 and 5 in the morning with very strong shaking. 

(de Utrera, 1995): June 21, 1842, eastern part. [Hispaniola]

-67.1407 18.2009 Mayaguez, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011 quoting The Charleston Daily Courier, June 20, 1842): 

Earthquake – Capt. Ward of the barque Condor which arrived yesterday 

morning from Mayaguez, informs us that the earthquake on the 7th of May 

was very severely felt there; and that up to the 30 of May when he sailed, 

there were from two to three shocks a day. The inhabitants were very fearful 

of a similar shock to that which was felt on the 7th in other places. 

-

-70.6937 19.7971 Puerto Plata (Public Ledger, 1843): [printed letter dated May 20, 1842] From the 7th up to the 

present date, we have been in a continued state of alarm – upwards of 40 

shocks having taken place during that interval, some more or less severe. 

-

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Annual Register, 1843): On the Saturday night succeeding and on Sunday 

there were other shocks * * * On Monday morning at twelve o’clock there 

was another shock * * * On Tuesday, again there was another shock, and 

since then, says the Patriote, “it seems to us that we walk upon a quaking 

earth.

-

February 22, 1843, and March 22, 1843

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: Tippenhauer (1893) and de Utrera (1995) also mention another earthquake on March 22, 1843. 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

- - Eastern part of Hispaniola (Perrey, 1843): Three large shakes were felt, on the eastern part of Santo 

Domingo [island]. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): February 22, east of Santo Domingo, 3 shocks; March 

22, east of Santo Domingo. 

-
69

February 22, 1843, and March 22, 1843

(de Utrera, 1995): February 22 and March 22, eastern part. 

September 15, 1846

Time: 11:00 PM, Cap Haitien local time

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Perrey, 1856): September 15, 1846, 11 o'clock at night, in Cap Haitien, 

Santo Domingo [Hispaniola]. 

-

September 16, 1846

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Perrey, 1856): September 16, 1846, city of Santo Domingo, two tremors. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): September 16, Santo Domingo. 

(de Utrera, 1995): September 16, 1846 – Santo Domingo.

-

September 18, 1846

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Perrey, 1856): September 18, 1846; again at Cap Haitien, Santo Domingo

[Hispaniola]. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): September 18, Cap Haitien. 

-

June(?) 1849

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: Poey (1857) suggests this event might have occurred in the month of June. The sources refer to the island of Hispaniola and not the city of 

Santo Domingo. 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity
70

June(?) 1849

- - Hispaniola (La Presse, 1849): There is no new politics in Santo Domingo, where there 

has been an earthquake that fortunately has not caused great damage. 

(Perrey, 1850 a & b): La Presse July 18 also said there was at St. Domingo an 

earthquake that fortunately has not caused great damages. 

(Poey, 1857): Probably in June? 

(de Utrera, 1995): 1849 Santo Domingo. 

-

April 8, 1852

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (New York Times, 1852): The schooner Charles Alstrum, from Cape Haytien, 

17th last, reports that on the 8th, a severe shock of an earthquake was 

experienced at the Cape, but no damage was done. 

(Meriam, 1853): Shock of Earthquake at Cape Haytien, St. Domingo, West 

Indies. 

(Perrey, 1854): The 8 [April, 1852], at Cap (Haiti), strong tremors without 

damages. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): April 8, Cap Haitien. 

-

August 18, 1852

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Meriam, 1853): Aug. 18, Shock of Earthquake at Port au Prince and 

Gonaives, St. Domingo. 

(Perrey, 1856): August 18, 1852, at Port-au-Prince and Gonaives (St. 

Domingue). 

-
71

August 18, 1852

(Tippenhauer, 1893): August 18, Port-au-Prince and Gonaives. 

-72.6833 19.4500 Gonaives (Meriam, 1853): Aug. 18, Shock of Earthquake at Port au Prince and 

Gonaives, St. Domingo. 

(Perrey, 1856): August 18, 1852, at Port-au-Prince and Gonaives (St. 

Domingue). 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): August 18, Port-au-Prince and Gonaives. 

-

August 19, 1852

Time: 3:00 and 4:00 in the morning, Port-au-Prince local time

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Meriam, 1853): Aug. 19, Two heavy shocks at Port au Prince – one at 3 and 

one at 4 A.M. 

(Perrey, 1856): August 19, 1852, at Port-au-Prince, two tremors, one at 3 

o'clock and the other 4 o'clock in the morning. 

-

August 28, 1852

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: Tippenhauer (1893) suggests it was on the 28th and 29th in his entry.

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.6833 19.4500 Gonaives (Meriam, 1853): Aug. 28, Two shocks of earthquake at Hayti, W.I. [West 

Indies]: shock at Gonaives, St. Domingo, and at St. Jago de Cuba. 

(Perrey, 1856): August 28, 1852, in Haiti, Gonaives (St-Domingue) two 

tremors. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): 1852, 28/29 August – Cape Haitien, Gonaives, and 

Santo Domingo. 

(de Utrera, 1995): Utrera has earthquakes listed as August 28 and 29 somewhere 

on the island. 

-
72

November 25, 1852

Time: At night, Port-au-Prince local time

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Meriam, 1853): Nov. 25, Severe shock of Earthquake at Port au Prince in the 

night. 

(Perrey, 1855): November 25, 1852, at night, at Port-au-Prince (Haiti), 

violent tremor.

(Tippenhauer, 1893): November 25, night, Port-au-Prince. 

-

September 11, 1853

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Perrey, 1855): September 11, 1853, in Port-au-Prince (Haiti). 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): September 11, Port-au-Prince. 

-

July 8, 1855

Time: Early in the morning, Port-au-Prince local time

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Perrey, 1857): July 8, 1855, very early in the morning, in Port-au-Prince and 

its surroundings, slight tremors. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): July 8, morning, Port-au-Prince and surrounding area. 

-

August 26, 1855

Time: 10:00 AM, Santo Domingo local time 

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity
73

August 26, 1855

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Perrey, 1861): August 26, 10 h (sic), In Santo Domingo, earthquake without 

accompanying details from M. Poey. 

(Tippenhauer, 1893): August 26, 1855, 10 o'clock, Santo Domingo.

(de Utrera, 1995): August 26, Santo Domingo. 

-

April 8, 1860

Time: 5:00 AM, Port-au-Prince local time (Easter)

Tsunami: A tsunami was observed in Anse-a-Veau and Miragoane (New York Times,1860b; Scherer, 1912a).

Phenomenon Notes: The shock at 5 in the morning could have been the foreshock to the stronger later one that occurred at 10 in the evening that day Port-auPrince local time, or 9 PM Gonaives local time.

Number of Observations: 16 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-73.3447 18.5028 Anse-A-Veau (New York Times, 1860b): In the town of Anse-a-Veau, in the south, 124 

houses were thrown down and a great many of their inmates severely 

wounded. 

(Perrey, 1862): The place called Anse-au-Veau appears to have been the 

most abused. A hundred and twenty-four houses were damaged or 

destroyed. 

(Scherer, 1912a): At Anse à Veau one hundred twenty four houses were 

destroyed or cracked. * * * Crevasses running from north to south crossed 

the streets. The sea drew back and then broke with a crash on the shore. The 

people took refuge in La Haute Ville [uptown] which had suffered less. 

CHF(7)

WHB(7)

SISF(8)

-73.0861 18.4423 Miragoane (New York Times, 1860b): At the seaport of Miragoane the sea rose to a 

tremendous height, and made considerable progress into the land, doing 

much damage to parts of the town lying near the shore. 

(Scherer, 1912a): At Miragoane, the bridge sank, several houses were thrown 

down and fire broke out in three places. 

CHF(6)

WHB(6)

SISF(7.5)

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit Goave (Scherer, 1912a): At Petit Goave several houses with stone walls crumbled; 

others half of wood and half of stone had their doors unhinged. One factory 

was nearly destroyed. All the houses were abandoned. 

CHF(6)

WHB(6)

SISF(7.5)

-72.8344 18.4395 Mont Tapion (Scherer, 1912a): Rocks obstructed the highway. [This location is between Petit 

Goave and Grande Goave and is an area prone to landslides and rock falls.]

CHF(6)

WHB(-)
74

April 8, 1860

-73.5079 18.5264 Petit Trou de Nippes (Scherer, 1912a): At Petit Trou de Nippes and at Baradères the damage was 

less [than at Miragoane].

CHF(5)

WHB(5)

SISF(7)

-73.6387 18.5432 Baradères (Scherer, 1912a): At Petit Trou de Nippes and at Baradères the damage was 

less [than at Miragoane]. 

CHF(5)

WHB(5)

SISF(7)

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (New York Times, 1860b): The earthquakes which I have stated were felt here 

[Kingston] were also experienced in Hayti, where they occasioned serious 

injury. The concussions were so great that the impression was that had the 

undulations lasted a second longer it was probably that not a single house 

would have been left standing at Port-au-Prince. There were repeated 

convulsions, which threw the inhabitants into such a state of alarm and 

excitement that they abandoned their houses, which they momentarily 

expected to fall and cover them, and took up their abode in tents.

(Perrey, 1862): On the 8th, 5 o'clock in the morning in Port-au-Prince (Haiti), 

a first shock was felt throughout the departments. The movements continued 

until the 13th. We did not account it being said, that at least thirty shocks in 

twenty-four hours. The largest was felt on the 8th between 10:00 and 10:30 

in the evening. 

(Scherer, 1912a): At Port-au-Prince the shock at half-past ten at night caused 

terror in all and the population fled into the streets from every quarter and 

passed the night outdoors. Several houses were badly damaged and one not 

yet finished was thrown down. From the 8th to the 11th of April twenty to 

thirty shocks were felt. 

(Taber, 1922): Towns * * * as far east as Port-au-Prince had some houses 

thrown or badly damaged. 

CHF(5)

WHB(5)

SISF(7)

-73.3971 18.2816 Aquin (Perrey, 1862): At Aquin, where they had not felt the one at 5 in the 

morning, they were repeated for a quarter of an hour by quarter of an hour 

after the one at 10:30 in the evening up until the 13th. Several houses were 

damaged there. The length of the longest shock (the one others reported at 

10 at night) did not exceed fifteen to twenty seconds. 

(Scherer, 1912a): It again crossed the valley of L'Asile and made itself 

strongly felt in the south at Aquin and at Cayes. Various houses were 

seriously damaged. 

CHF(5)

WHB(5)

SISF(7)
75

April 8, 1860

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Perrey, 1862): In Les Cayes, they did not report the two strong tremors, the 

8th, at 5 o'clock in the morning, and 10 o'clock at night. The walls were 

cracked.

(Scherer, 1912a): It again crossed the valley of L'Asile and made itself 

strongly felt in the south at Aquin and at Cayes. Various houses were 

seriously damaged. 

CHF(5)

WHB(5)

SISF(7)

-72.5167 18.2333 Jacmel (Scherer, 1912a): It caused a flurry in Port-au-Prince, Jacmel, Leogane, and 

St. Marc. Moreover, people were impressed after that by the least shock. 

(Taber, 1922): Towns * * * as far east as Port-au-Prince had some houses 

thrown or badly damaged. 

CHF(5)

WHB(-)

SISF(7)

-72.6333 18.5167 Leogane (Scherer, 1912a): It caused a flurry in Port-au-Prince, Jacmel, Leogane, and 

St. Marc. Moreover, people were impressed after that by the least shock. 

(Taber, 1922): Towns * * * as far east as Port-au-Prince had some houses 

thrown or badly damaged. 

CHF(5)

WHB(-)

SISF(7)

-72.7000 19.1167 Saint Marc (Scherer, 1912a): It caused a flurry in Port-au-Prince, Jacmel, Leogane, and 

St. Marc. Moreover, people were impressed after that by the least shock. 

(Taber, 1922): Towns * * * as far east as Port-au-Prince had some houses 

thrown or badly damaged. 

CHF(5)

WHB(-)

SISF(6)

-73.9277 18.0938 Port Salud (Scherer, 1912a): The shock was further strongly felt at Port Salud. CHF(4)

WHB(4)

SISF(6)

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (New York Times, 1860a): Cape Haytien [Cap Haitien] reports no loss of life, 

although several walls and a few houses fell. 

CHF(-)

WHB(-)

-72.6833 19.4500 Gonaives (New York Times, 1860a): By the kindness of Capt. J.R. Lavender, of the brig. 

Foster, we have been enabled to examine correspondence from Gonaives, 

giving an account of a series of earthquakes which startled the inhabitants of 

the island of Hayti from the 8th to the 13th of April, when the brig left port. 

The first shock was a heavy one, and occurred on the morning of Sunday 

April 8. * * * Capt. Lavender says the first shock was very perceptible 

among the shipping, causing a trembling sensation and a sound similar to 

the rumbling of chain cables over a rocky bottom. * * * The only damage 

was the cracking of a few walls: but when the brig left the excitement 

CHF(3)

WHB(-)

SISF(5)
76

April 8, 1860

continued. * * * The first motion perceived by the correspondent at 

Gonaives, on the morning of the 8th, was a slight undulation of the earth, 

apparently from South to North, then a cracking and creaking sound in all 

the timbers of the house; and finally a jumping or heaving motion of the 

whole building, as if the ground were alternately raised and depressed, 

creating a very unpleasant sensation. 

(Perrey, 1862): On the 8, at dawn and at 9 o'clock in the evening in Gonaives 

(Haiti), two violent tremors. 

-76.7929 17.9711 Kingston, Jamaica (New York Times, 1860b): Correspondence of the New York times: Kingston 

(Jamaica) Friday April 20, 1860 - * * * Several slight shocks of earthquake 

were left in this island during the past fortnight. As I explain elsewhere, 

these same convulsions occasioned very serious damage in Hayti. 

CHF(3)

WHB(-)

April 9, 1860 to May 5, 1860

Time: Various 

Phenomenon Notes: Aftershocks of April 8, 1860. 

Number of Observations: 4 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Perrey, 1862): On the 9th at midnight, and on the next morning, at Port-auPrince, many tremors. On the 10 and the 12, at Port-au-Prince, new tremors. -

-72.6833 19.4500 Gonaives (The New York Times, 1860a): During the night of the 11th the shocks were 

very frequent, but on the 12th and 13th there were but two shocks. 

(Perrey, 1862): The same day [April 9] hours not indicated, at Gonaives, two 

light tremors. 

-

-75.8296 20.0209 Santiago, Cuba (Perrey, 1862): On the 9th, again, in the morning, at Santiago, Cuba, one 

strong tremor. 

-

- - Haiti (island) (Perrey, 1862): As of the 16th, the Travail, Haitien newspaper, we burrow 

the following details, “It has been three days we have been at rest.” 

According to a letter I received from Mr. Ardouin, Minister of Haiti in 

Paris, the shocks were reported for fifteen days. They were felt as far as 

Jamaica, Cuba, and in the north up to the island of New Providence 

[Bahamas]. The same day (times not indicated) at Inagua [Bahamas], two 

violent shocks, but without damages. 

-
77

April 9, 1860 to May 5, 1860

(Perrey, 1873): April – the 8 to May 5, in Haiti, continuous tremors that were 

reported in great part by M. A. Lancaster...On the 8th at 4h. 20 m. in the 

morning, strong tremor, a second one at 6 o'clock. Both were accompanied 

by a loud noise. The 9th, ten tremors. The 10th, at 10 o'clock at night and at 

midnight, then on the 11th, almost at every hour new tremors. Until the 

29th, they are almost daily. In all sixty-eight tremors from south-southwest 

to north-northeast, without counting the vibrations. 

December 1, 1860

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Perrey, 1862): 1860, On the first day of the month (December) at SaintDomingue, many tremors more or less strong. (Letter from M. B. Ardouin, 

minister of Haiti, close to the French government). 

-

April 8, 1861

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1861, April 8 – Cap Haitien. -

August 22, 1863

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: Sounds were heard before the arrival of the shaking (Perrey, 1865).

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Perrey, 1865): 1863, August 22, 9h 54 m. 36s. mean local time, at Port-auPrince (Haiti), one undulatory tremor, preceded by a subterranean noise like 

in years before. Trustworthy people heard an underground detonation like a 

cannon shot, others clearly heard a loud roll, the two descriptions may exist 

at the same time, given the different terrains on which the city is built. 

(Moniteur Haitien of August 29. Comm. of M. Ardouin, minister of Haitien 

government in Paris). 

-
78

February 17, 1864

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1864, February 17, Port-au-Prince. -

April 20, 1864

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1864, April 20 – Port-au-Prince, 3 shocks. -

May 19, 1864

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: Two tremors occurred on this day, the second weaker than the first. 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.5167 18.2333 Jacmel (Perrey, 1866): 1864, May, 19: Jacmel (Haiti), violent earthquake felt in the 

port by the schooner George Prescott; It has destroyed many houses on the 

coast. An hour later, a second weaker tremor. 

-

May 21, 1864

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: Aftershock of May 19, 1864. 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.5167 18.2333 Jacmel (Perrey, 1866): 1864, May 21, third tremor, that again knocked down houses. -

June 1, 1864

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: Possible aftershock of May 19, 1864 (?). 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity
79

June 1, 1864

-72.5167 18.2333 Jacmel (Perrey, 1866): 1864, June 1: Jacmel (Haiti), a fourth tremor. No accidents. -

February 14, 1866

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Perrey, 1870): The same day [February 14, 1866] hour not indicated, at Santo 

Domingo, one strong tremor; many houses knocked down or damaged. 

CHF(5)

SISF(7)

December 1867 to January 1868

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: Multiple events occurring from December to January. 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Perrey, 1872a): 1868 January 17 and 18, at the island of Haiti, tremors 

(M.W. Mallet.) “In January”, said M. Dr. Rojas, “the earthquakes were 

frequent in Cuba and in Santo Domingo, which are influenced by the 

volcanic axis of Central America. New earthquakes shake the Lesser 

Antilles which seem to rest after the earthquakes of November and 

December, and the seismic waves, leaving the island group south of the 

Virgin Islands, takes its direction to the NW. (L.C. p.47) ”. 

(de Utrera, 1995): 1867 – End of the year to New Year's; Santo Domingo. 

-

August, 1878

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1878, August, Port-au-Prince – several days weak 

shake. 

-

August 19, 1881
80

August 19, 1881

Time: 8:00 AM, Higuey local time

Phenomenon Notes: Some sources use the year 1882, instead of 1881 see Higuey entry.

Number of Observations: 3 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-68.7168 18.6154 Higuey (de Utrera, 1995): 1881 August 19, one tremor at 8 AM; another at 8:30 

approximately, followed by a third. The sanctuary at Higuey very damaged. 

The catalog [Scherer and Baltenweck, 1914] does not record this event on this 

date. Instead it records as event in 1882. However the date we provide here 

comes from the official correspondence by the priest in Higuey Francisco 

Ciccone to the priesthood. 

(Scherer, 1912a): In 1882 a slight shock was felt at Santo Domingo, Seybo 

and Higuey. The churches of the two last places were damaged.

CHF(6)

SISF(7)

T&R1977(6)

-69.0364 18.7648 Seibo (Scherer, 1912a): In 1882 a slight shock was felt at Santo Domingo, Seybo 

and Higuey. The churches of the two last places were damaged. 

CHF(5)

SISF(7)

T&R1977(7)

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Scherer, 1912a): In 1882 a slight shock was felt at Santo Domingo, Seybo 

and Higuey. The churches of the two last places were damaged.

CHF(3)

T&R1977(3)

September 15, 1884

Time: 2:30 AM, Port-au-Prince local time

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1884 September 15 2:30 early, weakly. 

(Scherer and Baltenweck, 1914): September 15 at 2:30 a.m. Port-au-Prince, 

weak tremor. 

-

October, 1886

Time: Around noon, Port-au-Prince local time

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1886 October (?) 12 midday Gonaives and Port-auPrince, 1 weak tremor. -
81

October, 1886

-72.6833 19.4500 Gonaives (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1886 October (?) 12 midday Gonaives and Port-auPrince, 1 weak tremor. 

(Scherer and Baltenweck, 1914): October at noon, Gonaives. 

-

January, 1887

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-74.1145 18.6446 Jeremie (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1887, early, Jeremie. 

(Scherer and Baltenweck, 1914): January, Jeremie. 

-

September 15, 1887

Time: 8:15 PM, Port-au-Prince local time

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1887 September 15, 8:15 evening, Port-au-Prince, 

weak. 

-

September 22, 1887

Time: 4:50 AM, Port-au-Prince local time

Phenomenon Notes: Possible foreshock (?)

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1887 September 22, 4:50 morning, lasting 2 seconds, E 

to W, Port-au-Prince. 

(Scherer and Baltenweck, 1914): September 22 at 5:00 a.m. Port-au-Prince. 

Direction NE, duration 5 seconds. 

-

September 23, 1887

Time: 12:50 AM, Port-au-Prince local time

Phenomenon Notes: Possible foreshock (?)
82

September 23, 1887

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1887 September 23, 12:50 night, Port-au-Prince. 

(Scherer and Baltenweck, 1914): September 23 at 55 after midnight, Port-auPrince, one shock. 

-

September 23, 1887

Time: 6:43 AM Kingston, Jamaica local time

Tsunami: According to Scherer (1912a) there was a tsunami associated with this earthquake that affected from Mole-St. Nicolas to Anse d’Hainault; on the western 

most coastline in the southern peninsula of Haiti, north of Tiburon. 

Phenomenon Notes: Recorded in Kingston Jamaica (Hall, 1922). Many Spanish newspapers republished the same story that came out in The New York Times 

(1887a).

Number of Observations: 22 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.8370 19.9408 Port-de-Paix (Tippenhauer, 1893): 7:00 early one house completely destroyed, several 

damaged, the church under construction was destroyed. 

(Scherer, 1912a): At Port de Paix the church recently erected was struck 

down, several houses were overthrown and others of brick badly damaged. 

(de Utrera, 1995): Considerable damages in Haiti, with almost complete 

destruction of Cape Haitien, Port-de-Paix, and Mole St. Nicolas. 

(Shepherd and Lynch, 1992 quoting, Colonial Office Records): The city is 

reported to have been partly destroyed. 

CHF(7)

WHB(7)

SISF(8)

S&L1992(8)

-73.3745 19.8052 Mole-St. Nicolas (Tippenhauer, 1893): 6:30 early, a great many houses were destroyed, the 

waters from the Ravine, dry since 1877, reappeared. 

(Scherer, 1912a): The disaster struck Mole St. Nicolas especially, and the 

interior region to the south of the central Hilera suffered heavily. * * * At 

Mole St. Nicolas, as was said, disaster was heaviest. Nearly all the houses 

were overthrown and the city was covered in ruins. Springs of hot water 

burst forth in the middle of the town, the river La Gorge, that had been dry 

since 1878, reappeared in all its force and the sea at the moment of the 

shock drew back to a great distance from the city. 

CHF(8)

WHB(8)

SISF(9)

S&L1992(9)

T&R1977(9)
83

September 23, 1887

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Tippenhauer, 1893): 7:15 early, direction NE to SW, 80 houses completely 

damaged. 

(Scherer, 1912a): At Cap Haitien the shocks were numerous; eighty-eight 

houses were cracked and the few which had resisted the 1842 fell. The 

shocks began with trembling. In the city the fright was general and many 

people took refuge in the open places, and this was the case for many parts 

of the Plaine du Nord. 

CHF(6.5)

WHB(6.5)

SISF(8)

S&L1992(7)

T&R1977(7)

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Tippenhauer, 1893): 7:00 early, direction NE to SW, several houses 

damaged. 

(Scherer, 1912a): At Gonaives the shocks came from the northeast and lasted 

one minute. Several houses were destroyed, other half fell leaving none of 

their furniture unharmed. The population bivouacked outdoors. 

(de Utrera, 1995): Port-au-Prince, Gonaives, etc. also damaged. 

CHF(6.5)

WHB(6.5)

SISF(8)

S&L1992(7)

T&R1977(7)

-72.4685 19.5974 Plaisance (Tippenhauer, 1893): 7:00 early, roof of the church was lost. 

(Scherer, 1912a): At Plaisance, Gros Morne and Marmelade the havoc was 

very considerable. 

CHF(6)

WHB(-)

SISF(8)

-72.6836 19.6699 Gros Morne (Scherer, 1912a): At Plaisance, Gros Morne and Marmelade the havoc was 

very considerable. 

CHF(6)

WHB(-)

SISF(8)

-72.3459 19.5091 Marmelade (Scherer, 1912a): At Plaisance, Gros Morne and Marmelade the havoc was 

very considerable. 

CHF(6)

WHB(-)

SISF(8)

-75.8296 20.0209 Santiago, Cuba (New York Times, 1887a): Sept. 23 – A severe shock of earthquake was felt in 

Santiago de Cuba today, the vibrations lasting half a minute. It was 

followed an hour later by two other shocks, but of less intensity. Two 

persons were injured and some houses were damaged. Shocks were also felt 

in Guantanamo and Manzanillo. 

(El Correo Militar, 1887): A telegram received from Havana [Cuba] gives news 

that it was felt on Friday [Sept. 23] in Santiago de Cuba an earthquake that as 

a consequence was felt by several buildings. Also it has resulted in two 

injured persons. They know that the earthquake was felt at the same time in 

Guantanamo, in Manzanillo and on the island of Jamaica. 

CHF(6)

WHB(6)

S&L1992(8)

T&R1977(8)
84

September 23, 1887

(Le Gaulois, 1887): A dispatch from Cuba confirms the news of an 

earthquake in Santiago. They add that the oscillations lasted 25 seconds, 

they repeated twice in the space of one hour, but with less intensity. 

(El País, 1887): The earthquake felt on the 23rd in Santiago, Cuba did not 

result in any serious injuries; only two people were slightly injured. Many 

buildings suffered damages among them the civil government building, the 

Hacienda of Administration building, the customs building and school. 

(Tomblin and Robson, 1977 quoting the Barbados Herald, Sept. 26, 1887): 7:00 A 

very severe oscillating earthquake lasting 30 seconds followed by 3 shorter 

shocks. 54 buildings reported in ruins and 3 people seriously injured by 

falling masonry. The rest of the province also experienced a severe shock 

causing damage in various places. 

-75.2162 20.1419 Guantanamo, Cuba (New York Times, 1887a): Shocks were also felt in Guantanamo and 

Manzanillo. 

(El Correo Militar, 1887): They know that the earthquake was felt at the same 

time in Guantanamo, in Manzanillo and on the island of Jamaica.

(Chuy and Pino, 1982): It was felt. 

CHF(6)

WHB(-)

-72.6978 19.1081 Saint Marc (Scherer, 1912a): At St. Marc some pieces of wall fell. CHF(5)

WHB(5)

SISF(7)

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Tippenhauer, 1893): 6:55 early, duration 1 minute, direction NE to SW. 

(Scherer, 1912a): At Port-au-Prince the oscillatory movement lasted two 

minutes and a half. The direction was first N-S and then E-W. The clock of 

the observatory was stopped and the furniture moved out of place. Some old 

ruins gave way. 

CHF(4)

WHB(4)

SISF(6.5)

S&L1992(6)

T&R1977(6)

-74.1145 18.6446 Jeremie (Tippenhauer, 1893): 8:05 early, the sea withdrew itself 60 feet back, 8:15 

early, 2 shocks. 

(Scherer, 1912a): At Jeremie strong shocks were felt during several minutes. 

The inhabitants abandoned their dwellings and the stores were closed. The 

sea drew back twenty meters, leaving numbers of fine fish out of water, and 

CHF(5)

WHB(-)

SISF(7)

S&L1992(6)
85

September 23, 1887

the people were still disputing about these, when the water returned with a 

rush upon the beach. There was no accident however. The same movement 

of the sea made itself felt in all the neighborhood ports and especially at 

Anse d’Hainault.

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Tippenhauer, 1893): 7:50 early, duration 15 minutes. 

(Scherer, 1912a): At Cayes the earthquake lasted several minutes. Some old 

buildings were thrown down and others were badly damaged. 

CHF(5)

WHB(5)

SISF(7)

-72.5167 18.2333 Jacmel (Tippenhauer, 1893): 7:03 early. 

(Scherer, 1912a): At Aquin and Jacmel shocks lasted only a few minutes 

without doing any harm. 

CHF(4)

WHB(-)

SISF(5)

-73.3971 18.2816 Aquin (Scherer, 1912a): At Aquin and Jacmel shocks lasted only a few minutes 

without doing any harm. 

CHF(4)

WHB(4)

SISF(5)

-73.6742 20.9335 Great Inagua, Bahamas (Montadon, 1962): With one strong reverberation on the island of Inagua, 

Bahamas. 

(Shepherd and Lynch, 1992): Strong shaking, the lighthouse keeper at Inagua 

reported a very severe shock. 

CHF(4)

WHB(4)

S&L1992(7)

-77.1199 20.3457 Manzanillo, Cuba (New York Times, 1887a): Shocks were also felt in Guantanamo and 

Manzanillo. 

(El Correo Militar, Sept. 26, 1887): They know that the earthquake was felt at 

the same time in Guantanamo, in Manzanillo and on the island of Jamaica.

(Chuy and Pino, 1982): It was felt. 

CHF(3)

WHB(3)

-76.2579 20.8854 Holguin, Cuba (Shepherd and Lynch, 1992 quoting Chuy, 1980): Felt. CHF(3)

WHB(3)

-76.6501 20.3734 Bayamon, Cuba (Chuy and Pino, 1982): It was felt. CHF(3)

WHB(3)

-76.6742 20.9335 Cristo Cautu, Cuba (Chuy and Pino, 1982): It was felt. CHF(3)

WHB(3)

-76.7929 17.9711 Kingston, Jamaica (New York Times, 1887a): Shocks were also felt * * * in Kingston, Jamaica. 

(Hall, 1922): Hayti, 1887 September 23 6:43 AM (III) Shock sufficient to 

make houses rock, Whole Island (Weather Report No. 86) Great earthquake 

CHF(3)

WHB(-)

S&L1992(4)

T&R1977(4)
86

September 23, 1887

in Hayti.

(Tomblin and Robson, 1977 quoting Colonial Standard and Jamaica Dispatch, Sept. 

23, 1887): An earthquake of unusual duration. Oscillations North to South. 

The shocks were not of equal severity to those of previous similar 

visitations. 

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Scherer, 1912a): On the contrary at Santo Domingo there was much 

damage. 

CHF(3)

WHB(-)

SISF(6)

T&R1977(7)

September 23, 1887, to October 4, 1887

Time: Various

Phenomenon Notes: Aftershocks of September 23, 1887. 

Number of Observations: 7 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-75.8296 20.0209 Santiago, Cuba (Le Gaulois, 1887): They add that the oscillations lasted 25 seconds, they 

repeated twice in the space of one hour, but with less intensity. 

(El Siglo Futuro, 1887): Telegram from Santiago, Cuba October 4, -

Trepidations tremors, fast and repetitive at nine in the morning today. As a 

result, sinister prognostications were circulated alarming the public 

permanently and paralyzing businesses. 

(Tomblin and Robson, 1977 quoting Barbados Herald, Oct. 6, 1887): October 4, 

1887, 9:45 – severe shocks. Shocks of more or less severity have occurred 

since the earthquake of September 23. 9:55 A slighter shock.

-

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Tippenhauer, 1893): Sept 23, 8:45 evening, 2 shocks. -

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1887, Sept 23, 8:00 evening, duration 2 minutes; Sept. 

26, 12:57 at night, 1 -2 seconds duration, direction E to W; Oct. 3 7:40 

early, 1 second duration, SE to NW; Oct. 4, 7:50 early 1 second duration, 

SE to NW. 

(Tomblin and Robson, 1977, quoting Barbados Herald, Oct. 20, 1887): A shock of 

earthquake, lasting about one minute, September 25, 1887 1:00. 

-

-74.1145 18.6446 Jeremie (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1887, Sept. 24, 12:30 at night 3 shocks. -

-72.0683 18.2398 Sale-Trou (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1887, Sept 23, 8:03 evening, duration 2 minutes, -
87

September 23, 1887, to October 4, 1887

direction E to W. 

-75.0128 18.4018 Navassa Island (New York Times, 1887b): Shaken by an earthquake. The steamer Alene, 

which arrived from Savanilla last night, touched at Navassa on the way 

here. There the officers were told that on Sept. 25 a severe shock of 

earthquake had caused the island to sway to and fro for at least five minutes. 

No damage however was done.

-

- - Hispaniola (Milne, 1912): 1887, Sept. 23, 7h. A.M. also 9h. 10m. AM also Sept. 24 – 26. 

West Indies, Bahamas, Inagua Island, Haiti, Port-de-Paix. 

-

March 28, 1889

Time: 12:59 AM, Port-au-Prince local time

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1889, March 28, 12:59 early, 40 seconds duration, ESE 

to WNW direction, 2 shocks. 

(Scherer and Baltenweck, 1914): March 28 at 59 minutes after midnight, Portau-Prince, 2 shocks, the first oscillation ESE, the second vibration lasted 40 

seconds total. 

-

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit Goave (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1889, March 28 1:05 early, 40 seconds duration, ESE –

WNW direction, 2 shocks. 

(Scherer and Baltenweck, 1914): March 28 at 1:05 a.m., Petit Goave, 2 shocks, 

direction ENE, duration 40 seconds. 

-

November 6, 1889

Time: 6:00 PM, Port-au-Prince local time

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1889, November 6, 6:00 evening, 3 seconds duration, 1 

weak shock. 

(Scherer and Baltenweck, 1914): November 6 at 6:00 p.m. Port-au-Prince, 

duration 3 seconds. 

-
88

March 13, 1890

Time: 8:45 AM, Port-au-Prince local time

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1890, March 13, 8:45 early, 10 seconds duration, SW to 

NE? , 1 fairly strong shock. 

-

July 3, 1890

Time: Before 11 (AM/PM?) Jacmel local time

Phenomenon Notes: Tippenhauer (1893) does not clarify if it was at 11 AM or 11 PM. 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.5167 18.2333 Jacmel (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1890, before July 3, before 11, 3 shocks. -

July (late), 1890

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1890, end of July (?), several shocks. -

August 15, 1890

Time: 1:27 AM, Port-au-Prince local time

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Tippenhauer, 1893): 1890, August 15, 1:27 early, 5 seconds duration, E – W, 

2 shocks moderately strong. 

-

October 29, 1897

Time: 09:33:34 PM Port-au-Prince local mean time (02:22:55 UTC, October 30, 1897)

Phenomenon Notes: The observatory in Port-au-Prince finally aquires precise clocks to calculate the local mean time that was +04:49:21 of Greenwich time.

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity
89

October 29, 1897

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1914): 9 h. 33 m. 34 sec p.m., three strong tremors, 

direction NE, 42 seconds duration, predominately vertical component. 

-

December 29, 1897

Time: 6:32:31 AM, Port-au-Prince local mean time (11:21:52 UTC)

Land Surface Observations: In the mountains north of Santiago the peak Diego Campo of 1,220 meters had enormous landslides. Also in the Yaque River valley 

west of Santiago de los Caballeros, the earth opened up into gullies or collapsed, and some meadows turned into swamps. (Le Cosmos, 1898) 

Submarine Landslide Observation: In Puerto Plata there were two submarine cables that left the mouth of the nearby Plata River and it was noted that the cable 

going east to Martinique was cut once and the cable going west to Cap Haitien in three places during the earthquake (Le Cosmos, 1898). 

Phenomenon Notes: This earthquake was recorded in Port-au-Prince at the Seminare-College St-Martial that had a Cecchi seismograph and a Bertelli 

microseismometer operating at the time. The time and observations of the waveform are taken from Le Cosmos (1898) article. According to Agamennone (1898) 

other instruments also recorded this earthquake in Toronto, Canada; Strasburg, Germany; Nicolas, Russia; and Shide, England, as well as in Italy, Rocca di Papa 

(Frascati, Roma) and the island of Ischia (Napoli). Agamennone gave a preliminary epicenter location of -71.0 W, 19.5 N based on their interpretation of the reported 

damages on the island. In Abe (1994), this earthquake was located only using the seismogram recorded in Europe to 11:18 UTC, 19 N Lat, -73 E Lon. Ms = 6.8. 

Number of Observations: 16 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-70.8305 19.6717 Altamira (New York Times, 1898a): The cathedral at Altamira on the crest of the 

mountain range between Puerto Plata and Santiago was badly damaged. 

(Agamennone, 1898): The walls and the tombs of the cemetery are no more 

than a heap of ruins. On the railway, 70 km long, that runs through the 

mountains between Puerto Plata and Santiago has a bridge of 15 meters in 

the North direction where one of its pillars toppled and fell into the stream 

Guanabano that it traverses; later a rock of 4 tons fell onto the track, then at 

the large bend in Altamira, the rails were broken and thrown out of their 

tracks where it runs in the N-S direction. However, neither the Cumbre 

tunnel nor the great Guanabano viaduct has been damaged.

(Le Cosmos, 1898): At Altamira, the bounding walls and tombs of the 

cemetery are a heap of rubble. 

(Tomblin and Robson, 1977 quoting Jamaica Post Jan. 28, 1898): “Partly 

disappeared” during the earthquake, but there was no loss of life. The 

cemetery sank “as if nature has dropped an enormous pile-driver on the 

spot” and tombs were ruined.

(Scherer, 1912a): But at Altamira, north of Santiago, all the monuments in 

the cemetery and on the enclosing wall remain in a heap of ruins.

CHF(8)

SISF(8)

T&R1977(8)
90

December 29, 1897

-70.6937 19.7971 Puerto Plata (New York Times, 1898a): The Central Dominican Railroad was more or less 

damaged all along the line. In the neighborhood of Puerto Plata many of the 

embankments along the line were cracked and settled, and in one instance 

one of the abutments was shaken entirely out of a fifty-foot span, and one 

end of the bridge fell fifteen feet. Huge boulders were hurled down from the 

mountains, breaking the rails and filling up many of the cuts. One large 

storehouse at Puerto Plata was wrecked. 

(de Utrera, 1995): The submarine cable tore in Puerto Plata. 

(Tomblin and Robson, 1977 quoting Jamaica Post Jan. 28, 1898): There was little 

damage, but the submarine cable, running from this city in two directions, 

was interrupted once to the East between Rio Plata and Martinique, and 

three times to the West between Rio Plata and Cape Haitien, which 

occurred at the time of the same phenomenon. A violent earthquake, lasting 

about 25 seconds. Sleepers ran outdoors. Followed by eight brief shocks 

between 7:05 and 12:20.

CHF(7)

S&L1992(8)

T&R1977(8)

-70.7075 19.4502 Santiago de los Caballeros (New York Times, 1898a): At Santiago the City Hall was badly cracked and 

two churches partially destroyed. 

(Le Cosmos, 1898): On December 29, 1897, I found myself in the 

countryside, two miles northeast of the city of Santiago de los Caballeros, 

when at 6:30 in the morning I felt the house creak and shake vigorously. It 

was an earthquake. Barely out of the house in the courtyard, I felt another 

jolt, and the ground continued to oscillate like a ship on a wave. The trees 

were swaying from one side to the other. A hanging lamp in the room and 

that I saw from the courtyard swayed with oscillations of about 20 degrees. 

These movements lasted approximately fifty seconds. Barely the earthquake 

passed and I mounted a horse and rushed towards town to my family. Our 

house, like most houses of Santiago, is built of brick, and the walls are 

covered with a thick lime plaster. I found the floor of the house covered 

with detached plaster from the walls and the walls heavily cracked. Many 

houses were in the same state. Fortunately none had fallen. * * * The 

direction of motion, which was well observed in the North-East of Santiago, 

was north to south. At Santiago, the direction and amplitude of the 

oscillations were indicated by the lightning rods that remained of the great 

church, which remains inclined at 2 degrees towards the south-west. 

CHF(7)

SISF(7)

S&L1992(8)

T&R1977(8)
91

December 29, 1897

(de Utrera, 1995): 6:32 AM; In Santiago de los Caballeros, the churches were 

left in a ruinous state including the Carmen, La Mayor and less damaged the 

one in Altagracia.

(Tomblin and Robson, 1977 quoting Jamaica Post Jan. 28 1898): In this town of 

about 12,000 inhabitants, public buildings and all the business sections 

were severely damaged. Ninety-two houses were damaged. Many houses 

were evacuated by their fearful occupants, and all business places were 

closed for three days. The cathedral appeared to be damaged beyond 

repair. Santiago cemetery was reduced to a pile of ruins. 

-70.8751 19.5625 Navarette (Agamennone, 1898): The shaking was in the E-W direction. A statue turned 

on its pedestal. 

(Tomblin and Robson, 1977 quoting Jamaica Post, Jan 28, 1898): Jets of hot 

water flowed from large cracks in the earth. 

CHF(6)

T&R1977(8)

-70.6150 19.4865 Tamboril (Tomblin and Robson, 1977 quoting Jamaica Post, Jan 28, 1898): Springs of 

water appeared temporarily. 

CHF(6)

T&R1977(8)

-71.0276 19.6400 Maizal (Tomblin and Robson, 1977 quoting Jamaica Post, Jan 28, 1898): Mountain 

landslips occurred. 

CHF(6)

T&R1977(8)

-70.5327 19.2239 La Vega (Tomblin and Robson, 1977 quoting Jamaica Post, Jan 28, 1898): No great 

damage reported. 

CHF(5)

T&R1977(6)

-71.3984 19.6687 Guayubin (Agamennone, 1898): River Yacque – It is precisely in the lower reaches of 

this river that the disruption of soil was the deepest. In some places the earth 

opened to form gullies, in other places it lowered such that where before 

there were grasslands currently are now only ponds. Fortunately in this 

district, wooden houses are all built on top of pilings and because of it, not 

one was overturned. 

(Scherer, 1912a): At Guyaubin [sic] great cracks were formed, and there was 

even subsidence of the ground. The houses in this district were of wood and 

furthermore rested on pilings. None were thrown down in spite of the 

shocks which were of intensity of IX to X, Rossi-Forel scale. 

CHF(5)

SISF(7.5)

-71.0735 19.5539 Mao (Tomblin and Robson, 1977 quoting Jamaica Post, Jan 28, 1898): Earthquake felt 

but no great damage reported. 

CHF(5)

T&R1977(6)
92

December 29, 1897

-70.5468 19.2797 Santa Cerro (New York Times, 1898a): The church at Santo Cerro was shaken to the 

ground and more or less serious damage was done to buildings in a half 

dozen villages and towns in the Yaqui Valley. 

CHF(5)

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (New York Times, 1897): Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Dec. 29 – This morning at 

6:40 o'clock there was an earthquake, the disturbances running from north 

to south, lasting half a minute, and causing slight cracks in the earth. There 

were no accidents, but the population was greatly alarmed. 

(Scherer, 1912a): On December 29, 1897, at 6:32:31 in the morning, the city 

of Port-au-Prince experienced a very strong earthquake * * * The intensity 

according to the Rossi-Forel scale was V; the direction east-northeast and 

northeast; the duration was one minute and thirty-one seconds according to 

the diagrams of our Cecchi seismograph.

CHF(4)

SISF(6)

S&L1992(5)

-72.1040 18.8336 Mirebalais (Agamennone, 1898): The earthquake was felt there with the same 

characteristics as in Port-au-Prince. 

(Scherer, 1912a): The shock was also felt very forcibly at Mirebalais and at 

Jacmel. 

CHF(4)

SISF(6)

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel (Agamennone, 1898): id. [same as Mirebalais and Port-au-Prince]. 

(Scherer, 1912a): The shock was also felt very forcibly at Mirebalais and at 

Jacmel. 

CHF(3)

SISF(6)

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Agamennone, 1898): The earthquake was felt without much impression. 

(Scherer, 1912a): It was feeble in Santo Domingo.

CHF(3)

S&L1992(5)

-71.1462 21.4674 Cockburn Town, Great Turks 

Island

(Agamennone, 1898): At 6h 37m a.m. was felt a slight shock lasting a few 

seconds. Several clocks stopped and no damage.

CHF(4)

-76.7909 17.9840 Kingston, Jamaica (Agamennone, 1898): On this day, no shock was felt. Weather Office. CHF(-)

December 29, 1897, to January 25, 1898

Time: Various times

Phenomenon Notes: Aftershocks of the December 29, 1897, earthquake.

Number of Observations: 3 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-70.7075 19.4502 Santiago de los Caballeros (Agamennone, 1898): Thus at Santiago on the same December 29, another six -
93

December 29, 1897, to January 25, 1898

shocks were felt, of which one at 8h. a.m., a very strong one at 1h. p.m. and 

then four light ones. The day after, on Sunday the 30th, a violent shock 

occurred at 10h p.m.; and particularly some were observed at 6h. a.m. on 

January 13, [1898] and at 10h p.m. on January 21. In all, between December 

29 and January 25, 36 shocks were felt, and then the ground became quiet 

again. 

(Scherer and Baltenweck, 1914): 1898 January 2 at 10 H. pm- strong tremor; 

1898 January 13 at 6H am – strong tremor, 1898 January 21 at 10H am, 

quite strong tremor. 

(de Utrera, 1995): In Santiago de los Caballeros it was felt from this date to 

January 25 1898, 36 tremors, the strongest ones on the days of 2, 13, and 21 

of the same month. 

-70.6937 19.7971 Puerto Plata (Tomblin and Robson, 1977 quoting Jamaica Post Jan. 28, 1898): 1897, 

December 29, 07:05 – shock lasting 2 seconds; 07:17 – shock lasting 2 

seconds; 07:45 – shock lasting 4 seconds; 08:35 – shock lasting 1 second; 

09:00 – shock lasting 1 second; 09:54 – shock lasting 2 seconds, 10:20 –

shock lasting 1.5 seconds, 12:20 – shock lasting 2 seconds; 13:25 – another 

severe shock. 

-

- - Hispaniola (Tomblin and Robson, 1977, quoting Jamaica Post, Jan 28, 1898): 1897 

December 29 to 1898 January 2, St. Domingo – Earthquakes continued at 

intervals, the last severe shock occurring at 10:30 on January 2; 1898 

January 2 to January 27, several light shocks. 

(Scherer, 1912a): The seismic disturbance lasted from December 29th to 

January 25th and thirty-six shocks, more or less strong, were counted during 

that time, about the region shaken since December 29th.

-

July 11, 1898

Time: 3:00 PM, Port-au-Prince mean local time (19:49:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: Local mean time in Port-au-Prince is +04:49:21 of Greenwich time). 

Number of Observations: 7 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (New York Times, 1898b): Earthquake at Cape Haitien – Advices received 

here yesterday afternoon declare that an earthquake was felt in Cape 

CHF(4)
94

July 11, 1898

Haytien, Haiti at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The disturbance lasted 5 

seconds, and was so severe as to have driven the inhabitants from their 

homes in terror. No news of extent of damage or loss of life, if any was 

received. 

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1914): 3h. PM fairly strong earthquake, intensity IV 

[Rossi-Forel scale] direction NE, at 5 PM and 6:37 PM two other tremors, 

direction E.

CHF(3)

-72.2272 18.5758 Croix-de-Bouquets (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1914): 3H PM, felt. CHF(3)

-72.0630 18.5331 Ganthier (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1914): 3H PM, felt. CHF(3)

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1914): 3H PM, felt; a French liner harbored in 

Gonaives felt an impact similar to a collision at 3:00 p.m.

CHF(3)

-73.5466 18.2630 Saint Luis du Sud (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1914): 3H PM, felt. CHF(3)

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1914): 3H PM, felt. CHF(3)
95

Selected Earthquakes of the 20th Century: 

Intensity, Mercalli Magnitude Intensities (3-10); CHF, assigned by C. H. Flores (author); WHB, assigned by W. H. Bakun (author); SISF, assigned by 

SiSFrance/Antilles (2010); L&S1995, assigned by Lynch and Shepherd (1995); C1972, assigned by Campbell (1972); LB1948, assigned by Lynch and Bodle 

(1948); -, no assignment.

January 5, 1902

Time: 04:30:00 AM, Port-au-Prince local mean time (09:19:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: Port-au-Prince local mean time is equal to +04:49:21 Greenwich time. 

Number of Observations: 4 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): A very strong tremor at 4h. 30m. a.m., also 

felt at Petionville, Furcy, and Ganthier.

-

-72.2864 18.5107 Petionville (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): A very strong tremor at 4h. 30m. a.m., also 

felt at Petionville, Furcy, and Ganthier.

-

-72.3062 18.4165 Furcy (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): A very strong tremor at 4h. 30m. a.m., also 

felt at Petionville, Furcy, and Ganthier.

-

-72.0630 18.5331 Ganthier (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): A very strong tremor at 4h. 30m. a.m., also 

felt at Petionville, Furcy, and Ganthier.

-

August 16, 1903

Time: 08:50:28 AM, Port-au-Prince local mean time (13:39:49 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: The Cecchi seismometer in Port-au-Prince recorded this earthquake. 

Number of Observations: 9 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Le Nouvelliste, 1903): Yesterday morning around 5 minutes before 9 a.m. a 

quite strong shake from an earthquake was felt, that lasted several seconds. 

The oscillations were from E-W. We do not believe there were damages to 

the city. 

(Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): At 8h. 50m. 28s. Lasted 64 seconds. The 

earthquake was recorded by the Cecchi seismograph [Continues into a 

description of the physical recording of the seismogram.] This earthquake was not 

very violent, no damage or cracks in the ground and no underground noise

was reported.

-

-72.2864 18.5107 Petionville (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Petionville-Furcy, Direction NNW at first 

and then N-E. 

-
96

August 16, 1903

-72.3062 18.4165 Furcy (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Petionville-Furcy, Direction NNW at first 

and then N-E.

-

-73.3447 18.5028 Anse-a-Veau (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Anse-a-Veau and Aquin, St. Marc, Port-dePaix, Direction E. -

-73.3971 18.2816 Aquin (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Anse-a-Veau and Aquin, St. Marc, Port-dePaix, Direction E. -

-72.6978 19.1081 St. Marc (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Anse-a-Veau and Aquin, St. Marc, Port-dePaix, Direction E. -

-72.8370 19.9408 Port-de-Paix (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Anse-a-Veau and Aquin, St. Marc, Port-dePaix, Direction E. -

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Cap-Haitien, lasted 4 minutes 50 seconds. -

-72.8296 20.9335 Santiago, Cuba (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Santiago de Cuba at 8h. 35m. -

- - Dalmarie, Haiti [?] (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Dalmarie, strong shaking, village church 

damaged, lasted 30 seconds. 

-

April 4, 1905

Time: 10:06:00 AM, Port-au-Prince local mean time (14:55:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 4 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Strong tremor around 10 in the morning. -

-72.6334 18.5111 Leogane (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Tremor from an earthquake at 10 in the 

morning.

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Very light tremor at 10h. 6m. in the morning, 

direction E. 

-

-72.2864 18.5107 Petionville (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Light tremor at 10h. 6m. in the morning, 

direction E. 

-

October 12, 1905

Time: About 05:00:00 PM, Jeremie local time (about 21:49:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity
97

October 12, 1905

-74.1145 18.6446 Jeremie (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Earthquake around 5 o’clock in the evening. -

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Earthquake around 5 o’clock in the evening. -

October 13, 1905

Time: About 05:00:00 PM, Petit-Goave local time (about 21:49:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: None

Number of Observations: 3 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit-Goave (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Earthquake around 5 o’clock in the evening. -

-74.1145 18.6446 Jeremie (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Earthquake around 5 o’clock in the evening. -

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Earthquake around 5 o’clock in the evening. -

October 14, 1905

Time: 09:51:00 AM, Port-au-Prince local mean time (14:40:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: A second earthquake was recorded at Port-au-Prince at 08:10 PM, local mean time (00:59:21 UTC, October 15, 1905)

Number of Observations: 8 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Le Nouvelliste,1905a): While we were at work, the tremor of an earthquake 

was felt at 9h. 51m. with a low intensity. The oscillations lasted about 4 

seconds and had the direction North-East. 

(Le Nouvelliste,1905b): Saturday and Sunday last on the 14th and 15 of 

October, there were four earthquakes felt – 1st on the 14th at 9 hours 51 

minutes in the morning, direction ENE; duration 4 seconds, intensity II. –

2nd on the 14th at 8 hours 10 minutes in the evening; direction ENE 

duration 2 seconds, intensity I. Intensity I – felt by seismometers only; 

Intensity II – felt by a few persons at rest. 

(Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Earthquake at 9h. 51m in the morning, 

earthquake at 8h. 10m. in the evening.

-

-73.3745 19.8052 Mole-St. Nicolas (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Earthquake at 9h. 51m in the morning. -

-72.1040 18.8336 Mirebalais (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Earthquake at 9h. 51m in the morning. -

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Earthquake at 9h. 51m in the morning. -

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit-Goave (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Earthquake at 9h. 51m in the morning. -
98

October 14, 1905

-73.0861 18.4423 Miragoane (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Earthquake at 9h. 51m in the morning. -

-74.1145 18.6446 Jeremie (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Earthquake at 9h. 51m in the morning. -

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Earthquake at 9h. 51m in the morning. -

October 15, 1905

Time: 04:52:41 PM, Port-au-Prince local mean time (21:42:02 UTC). 

Phenomenon Notes: A second earthquake was recorded in Port-au-Prince at 06:19 PM, local mean time (23:08:21 UTC). Father J. Scherer reported observations

in the Nouvelliste newspaper for October 17, 1905. 

Number of Observations: 9 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Le Nouvelliste,1905b): Saturday and Sunday last on the 14th and 15 of 

October, there were four earthquakes felt – 3rd on the 15th at 4 hours 54 

minutes 41 seconds in the evening, direction NE; intensity III, duration 42 

seconds total. There were five successive shakes separated by short calm 

periods. First tremor lasted 6 seconds, calm for 1 second. Second tremor 

duration 9 seconds, calm for 3 seconds with horizontal oscillations, while 

the vertical component was very significant. Third tremor duration 8 

seconds, calm for 6 seconds. Fifth tremor duration 4 seconds. – 4th on the 

15th at 6 hours 19 minutes, direction NE duration 3 seconds, intensity I. 

Intensity I – felt by seismometers only; intensity III felt by everyone at rest; 

they can perceive the direction of motion and duration. 

(Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): First earthquake at 4h. 54m. 41s in the 

evening, second earthquake at 6h. 19m. in the evening.

-

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit-Goave (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Strong tremor from an earthquake. -

-74.1145 18.6446 Jeremie (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Strong tremor from an earthquake. -

-72.1260 19.6688 Limonade (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Two tremors from earthquakes. -

-73.0861 18.4423 Miragoane (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Two tremors from earthquakes. -

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Two tremors from earthquakes. -

-73.3745 19.8052 Mole-St. Nicolas (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Weak tremor of an earthquake. -

-72.6836 19.6699 Gros-Morne (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Weak tremor of an earthquake. -

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Weak tremor of an earthquake. -

February 8, 1906
99

February 8, 1906

Time: February 9, at 00:04:00 AM, Port-au-Prince local mean time (04:53:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: Second tremor felt at 00:21:00 AM (05:10:21 UTC). 

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit-Goave (Destouches, 1906a): Earthquakes on the 9th [February] at 0h. 04m. and 0h 

21m., felt at Petit-Goave and Leogane. 

(Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Light tremor from an earthquake. 

-

-72.6334 18.5111 Leogane (Destouches, 1906a): Earthquakes on the 9th [February] at 0h. 04m. and 0h 

21m., felt at Petit-Goave and Leogane.

-

-73.0861 18.4423 Miragoane (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Light tremor from an earthquake. -

May 19, 1906

Time: 05:13:00 PM, Port-au-Prince local mean time (22:19:21 UTC).

Phenomenon Notes: According to the other observatory in Port-au-Prince reported by the Society of Astronomy and Meteorology of Port-au-Prince, there were two 

more earthquakes felt on the 22nd and 31st of the same month.

Number of Observations: 7 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Destouches, 1906b): Earthquake on the 19th at 5h 42m 30’ in the evening, 

intensity 3, three tremors. From 22 to 31 additionally, number of 

microseismic tremors, plus strong and frequent from midnight to 7 o’clock 

in the morning. A total of 58 grouped shocks represented in a duration of 4 

h 21 m. 

(Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): 5h 13m in the evening. Two vertical shocks, 

duration 3 seconds, intensity II, preceded by a loud sound resembling 

rolling thunder.

-

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap-Haitien (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): The same earthquake was registered at Cap 

Haitien, St. Marc – three shocks, Thomazeau – direction E, Ganthier –

direction NE, Petit-Goave shaking accompanied with rumbling noise. 

Furcy. 

-

-72.6978 19.1081 St. Marc (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): The same earthquake was registered at Cap 

Haitien, St. Marc – three shocks, Thomazeau – direction E, Ganthier –

direction NE, Petit-Goave shaking accompanied with rumbling noise. 

Furcy. 

-

-72.0943 18.6519 Thomazeau (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): The same earthquake was registered at Cap -
100

May 19, 1906

Haitien, St. Marc – three shocks, Thomazeau – direction E, Ganthier –

direction NE, Petit-Goave shaking accompanied with rumbling noise. 

Furcy. 

-72.0630 18.5331 Ganthier (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): The same earthquake was registered at Cap 

Haitien, St. Marc – three shocks, Thomazeau – direction E, Ganthier –

direction NE, Petit-Goave shaking accompanied with rumbling noise. 

Furcy. 

-

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit-Goave (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): The same earthquake was registered at Cap 

Haitien, St. Marc – three shocks, Thomazeau – direction E, Ganthier –

direction NE, Petit-Goave shaking accompanied with rumbling noise. 

Furcy. 

-

-72.3062 18.4165 Furcy (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): The same earthquake was registered at Cap 

Haitien, St. Marc – three tremors, Thomazeau – direction E, Ganthier –

direction NE, Petit-Goave shaking accompanied with rumbling noise. 

Furcy. 

-

June 15, 1906

Time: 02:33:00 PM, Port-au-Prince local mean time (19:22:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Light shock at 2 h 33 m in the afternoon. 

Intensity I, direction ENE, 4 seconds duration.

-

June 22, 1906

Time: 02:30:00 AM and 03:00 AM, Jeremie local time (about 07:19:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: A second tremor was felt at 03:00:00 AM Jeremie local time (about 07:49:21 UTC)

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-74.1145 18.6446 Jeremie (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Two earthquakes at 2 h 30 m and 3 h in the 

morning.

-

July 20, 1906

Time: 04:00:00 AM, Les Cayes local time (about 08:49:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: None 
101

July 20, 1906

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Light tremor at 4 h in the morning. -

August 3, 1906

Time: 05:00:00 AM, Jacmel local time (about 09:49:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Light tremor at 5 h in the morning, direction 

E. 

-

October 16, 1906

Time: 09:00:00 PM, Bainet local time (about 01:49:21 UTC, October 17, 1906)

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.7558 18.1819 Bainet (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Light tremor at 9 h at night. -

January 24, 1907

Time: 11:00:00 PM, Jacmel local time (about 03:49:21 UTC, January 25, 1907)

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Light tremor at 11 h at night. -

January 25, 1907

Time: 03:14:50 AM, Port-au-Prince local mean time (08:04:11 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 6 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Very strong tremor about 3 h in the morning. -

-72.7558 18.1819 Bainet (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Very strong tremor about 3 h in the morning, 

duration 5 seconds.

-
102

January 25, 1907

-73.0861 18.4423 Miragoane (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Strong tremor about 3 h 25 m in the morning, 

duration 5 seconds. 

-

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Light tremor about 3 h in the morning, 

duration 6 seconds. 

-

-72.8370 19.9408 Port-de-Paix (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Light tremor at 3 h 40 m in the morning, 

direction W, duration 3 seconds. 

-

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Tremor at 3 h 14 m 50 s in the morning. 

Direction W with a vertical component. Intensity above I.

-

March 11, 1907

Time: 03:25:00 AM, Jacmel local time (about 08:14:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): An earthquake at 3 h 25 m in the morning. -

April 19, 1907

Time: 06:00:00 AM, Les Cayes local time (about 10:49:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Light tremor at 6 h. a.m. -

April 30, 1907

Time: 05:00:00 PM, Les Cayes local time (about 21:49:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Light tremor at 5 h. p.m. -

May 3, 1907

Time: 04:40:00 AM, Port-au-Prince local mean time (09:29:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 11 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity
103

May 3, 1907

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): One strong tremor at 4 h 35 a.m. lasting 9 

seconds and preceded by a rolling sound. Direction WNW to ESE, the same 

at Limonade, Trou, and Ouanaminthe. 

-

-72.1260 19.6688 Limonade (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): One strong tremor at 4 h 35 a.m. lasting 9 

seconds and preceded by a rolling sound. Direction WNW to ESE, the same 

at Limonade, Trou, and Ouanaminthe. 

-

-72.0223 19.6186 Trou-du-Nord (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): One strong tremor at 4 h 35 a.m. lasting 9 

seconds and preceded by a rolling sound. Direction WNW to ESE, the same 

at Limonade, Trou, and Ouanaminthe. 

-

-71.7223 19.5501 Ouanaminthe (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): One strong tremor at 4 h 35 a.m. lasting 9 

seconds and preceded by a rolling sound. Direction WNW to ESE, the same 

at Limonade, Trou, and Ouanaminthe. 

-

-72.837 19.9408 Grande Riviere (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Strong tremor at 5 h a.m. the same at Bahon. -

-72.4308 19.8144 Bayeux (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Very strong tremor at 4 h in the morning. -

-72.837 19.9408 Port-au-Paix (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Strong tremor at 5 h. in the morning, 

direction S to N. 

-

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Strong tremor at 5 h. a.m., lasting 5 seconds. -

-72.6978 19.1081 St. Marc (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Three successive tremors at 4 h 30 a.m. -

-72.0943 18.6519 Thomazeau (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Two tremors with three seconds intervals at 4 

h 40 a.m.

-

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Strong microseismic agitation at 4 h.; 4 h 

40m and 6 h 10 m a. m.

-

May 9, 1907

Time: 02:15:00 PM, Jacmel local time (about 19:04:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Light tremor at 2h 15m p.m. -

August 28, 1907

Time: 05:10:00 AM, Baraderes local time (about 09:59:21 UTC) 

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 1 
104

August 28, 1907

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-73.6387 18.4829 Baraderes (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Light tremor at 5h 10m a.m. -

April 8, 1908

Time: 09:15:00 PM, Miragoane local time (about 02:04:21 UTC, April 9, 1908) 

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

73.0861 18.4423 Miragoane (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Weak tremor at 9h 15m p.m. -

May 12, 1908

Time: 02:00:00 PM, Ganthier local time (about 18:49:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.0630 18.5331 Ganthier (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Fonds-Verrette (Ganthier): Tremor, quite 

sensitive at 2 h p.m.

-

May 25, 1908

Time: 04:20:00 PM, Jacmel local time (about 21:09:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Light tremor at 4 h 20 m p.m., direction NS. -

August 17, 1908

Time: 06:00:00 AM, Les Cayes local time (about 10:49:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Tremor at 6 h a.m. -

September 28, 1908

Time: 04:00:00 AM, Les Cayes local time (about 08:49:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: Other earthquakes felt on this same day but at very different times. In Saltrou at 00:25:00 AM, arrival time recorded at Port-au-Prince 
105

September 28, 1908

(05:14:21 UTC). In Pestel at 04:30:00 AM (about 09:19:21 UTC) and in Mirebalais at 04:45:00 AM (about 09:34:21 UTC). Times taken from Scherer and 

Baltenweck (1921). 

Number of Observations: 3 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): A tremor at 4 h a.m. -

October 25, 1908

Time: 11:00:00 AM, Miragoane local time (about 15:49:21 UTC) 

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-73.0861 18.4423 Miragoane (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Very strong tremor at 11 h. a.m. -

October 28, 1908

Time: 05:00:00 AM, Miragoane local time (about 09:49:21 UTC) 

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-73.0861 18.4423 Miragoane (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Light tremor at 5 h. a.m. -

March 31, 1909

Time: 06:10:00 AM Miragoane local time, recored in Port-au-Prince at 06:20:00 AM (11:09:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: Three more earthquakes were felt at Miragoane on the same day at 08:40:00 PM, 09:40:00 PM and 11:00:00 PM local time. Earthquakes 

were also felt in Mole-St.Nicolas and Port-de-Paix but may be too far north to be associated with the ones centering at Miragoane. The earthquakes were recorded

at Port-au-Prince with times of 06:20:00 AM (11:09:21 UTC), 01:20:00 PM to 02:00:00 PM (06:09:21 UTC to 06:49:21 UTC), and 08:50:00 PM (01:39:21 UTC, April 

1, 1909). Descriptions first published by the Port-au-Prince observatory for January–June, 1909 (Scherer, 1909). 

Number of Observations: 8

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-73.0861 18.4423 Miragoane (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): 6h 10 a.m. Strong tremor; at 8h 40 p.m. two 

tremors at one minute intervals; 4 tremors between 9h 40 and 11h p.m.

-

-73.3447 18.5028 Anse-a-Veau (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): 6 h 10 a.m. Strong tremor. -

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit-Goave (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): 6 h 30 m a.m. Tremor recognized by 

everybody; Tremor recognized by everybody at 8 h 45 p.m.

-

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Microseismic movement at 6 h 20 m a.m.; 

One quite sensitively felt by many persons at 8 h 52 p.m., direction NE, 

-
106

March 31, 1909

intensity I.

-72.5126 18.7701 Arcahaie (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Weak tremor at 8 h 45 p.m. -

-72.7558 18.1819 Bainet (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Light tremor at 9 h 40 p.m. lasting 3 seconds. -

-73.3745 19.8052 Mole-St. Nicolas (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Tremor sensibly felt at 9 h p.m. lasting one 

second. 

-

-72.8370 19.9408 Port-de-Paix (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Tremor at 8 h 40 p.m. Direction NE. -

April 1, 1909

Time: Between 02:00 and 03:00 AM, Miragoane local time (between about 06:49:21 UTC and 07:49:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: Probable aftershocks of March 31, 1909. Original descriptions were published by the Port-au-Prince observatory for January–June 1909 

(Scherer, 1909). 

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-73.0861 18.4423 Miragoane (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Between 2 h and 3 h a.m. two weak tremors. -

-72.7558 18.1819 Bainet (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Two weak tremors at 4 h a.m. -

April 2, 1909

Time: 02:20 AM, Miragoane local time (about 07:09:21 UTC) 

Phenomenon Notes: Aftershocks of April 1 with a second one at 02:30:00 PM Miragoane local time. Original description published by the Port-au-Prince 

observatory for January–June 1909 (Scherer, 1909). 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-73.0861 18.4423 Miragoane (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): 2 h 20 a.m. two strong tremors; 2 h 30 p.m. 

two strong tremors. 

-

April 6, 1909

Time: 02:00:00 AM, Miragoane local time (about 06:49:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: Possible aftershock; the original description published by the Port-au-Prince observatory for January–June 1909 (Scherer, 1909). 

Number of Observations: 1

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-73.0861 18.4423 Miragoane (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): 2 h. a.m. one weak tremor. -

April 10, 1909
107

April 10, 1909

Time: 04:30:00 PM, Miragoane local time (about 21:19:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: Possible aftershock; the original description published by the Port-au-Prince observatory for January–June 1909 (Scherer, 1909). 

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-73.0861 18.4423 Miragoane (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): 4 h 30 p.m. weak tremor. “During this time 

of the earthquakes there was general panic and people have slept outside in 

the porches. There was no material damage, except for a few walls 

cracked.” Mr. A. Tovar. 

-

August 2, 1909

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: Description originally published by the Port-au-Prince observatory for July–December 1909 (Scherer, 1910a).

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-74.1145 18.6446 Jeremie (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Earthquake within the surrounding area 

without indication of the time. 

-

August 17, 1909

Time: 12:00:00 PM, Tiburon local time (about 16:49:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: Second earthquake felt at 01:00:00 PM, Tiburon local time (about 17:49:21 UTC). Description originally published by the Port-au-Prince 

observatory for July–December 1909 (Scherer, 1910a).

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-74.3959 18.3242 Tiburon (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Two tremors, one at midday and the other at 

1 h p.m. direction N. 

-

October 31, 1909

Time: Unknown 

Phenomenon Notes: Description originally published by the Port-au-Prince observatory for July–December 1909 (Scherer, 1910a).

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-74.4222 18.5605 Dame-Marie (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): One strong tremor without indication of the 

time. 

-

November 11, 1909
108

November 11, 1909

Time: At night 

Phenomenon Notes: Description originally published by the Port-au-Prince observatory for July–December 1909 (Scherer, 1910a).

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): One light tremor during the night. -

-74.1145 18.6446 Jeremie (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): One light tremor during the night. -

February 3, 1910

Time: 08:32:00 PM, Port-au-Prince local mean time (01:21:21 UTC, February 4, 1910) 

Phenomenon Notes: Description originally published by the Port-au-Prince observatory for July–December 1909 (Scherer, 1910a).

Number of Observations: 5 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): One tremor at 8 h. 31 p.m., direction NNE, 

vertical component very sensibly felt, intensity IV accompanied by a loud 

sound resembling heavy rain. The microseismometer was agitated for two 

hours after the earthquake.

-

-72.2864 18.5107 Petionville (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): The same earthquake was felt at Petionvill 

(weakly) at Furcy (very strong) at Thomazeau and Mirebalais (strong).

-

-72.3062 18.4165 Furcy (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): The same earthquake was felt at Petionvill 

(weakly) at Furcy (very strong) at Thomazeau and Mirebalais (strong).

-

-72.0943 18.6519 Thomazeau (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): The same earthquake was felt at Petionvill 

(weakly) at Furcy (very strong) at Thomazeau and Mirebalais (strong).

-

-72.1040 18.8336 Mirebalais (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): The same earthquake was felt at Petionvill 

(weakly) at Furcy (very strong) at Thomazeau and Mirebalais (strong).

-

February 10, 1910

Time: 01:20:00 AM, Cavaillon local time (about 06:09:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: Description originally published by the Port-au-Prince observatory for July–December 1909 (Scherer, 1910a).

Number of Observations: 1 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-73.6552 18.2992 Cavaillon (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1921): Tremor at 1h 20 m a.m., preceded by a 

detonation like that of a cannon.

-

May 11, 1910
109

May 11, 1910

Time: 02:41:02 AM, Port-au-Prince local mean time (07:30:23 UTC) 

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 12 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-70.7333 18.4532 Azua (Scherer, 1912a): On May 11, 1910, a severe shock was felt at Azua and 

Santo Domingo, and houses were cracked. The strongest part of the 

earthquake occurred in the bay of Ocoa where the sea wall was broken.

CHF(5)

SISF(7)

L&S1995(6)

T&R1977(6)

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Day, 1910): A severe earthquake shock was felt here at 3 o'clock this 

morning. There was no loss of life nor damage to property in the city, but 

reports from the interior have not been received. 

(Scherer, 1912a): On May 11, 1910, a severe shock was felt at Azua and 

Santo Domingo, and houses were cracked.

CHF(5)

SISF(7)

-70.3320 18.2799 Bani (Scherer, 1912a): It was equally strong at Bani, Christobal, and Barahona. CHF(5)

SISF(7)

L&S1995(7)

T&R1977(7)

-71.0925 18.2051 Barahona (Scherer, 1912a): It was equally strong at Bani, Christobal, and Barahona. CHF(5)

SISF(7)

L&S1995(7)

T&R1977(7)

-70.1092 18.4135 San Cristobal (Scherer, 1912a): It was equally strong at Bani, Christobal, and Barahona. CHF(5)

SISF(7)

L&S1995(7)

T&R1977(7)

-70.5327 19.2239 La Vega (Scherer, 1912a): In the interior from La Vega to Cap Haitien and even to 

Port-de Paix the shock was still very severe, while it was moderate at Portau-Prince.

CHF(4)

SISF(6)

L&S1995(6)

T&R1977(6)

-72.8370 19.9408 Port-de-Paix (Scherer, 1910b): 2h. 15 m. am [local time] slight shaking, lasting two 

seconds, direction E-W. 

CHF(3)

SISF(6)

L&S1995(6)

T&R1977(6)

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Scherer, 1910b): 2h 25 m a.m. [local time] very strong shaking, SE to NW, 

it appears that there were two shocks before. 

CHF(3)

SISF(6)

L&S1995(6)

T&R1977(6)

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Scherer, 1910b): 2 h. 41 m. 2 s. [local time ] shock woke up several people 

who were asleep, direction SE, lasting 6 seconds, intensity III [Rossi-Forel 

CHF(3)

SISF(5)
110

May 11, 1910

Intensity ] all devices actuated, a pendulum swinging in the East to West 

direction stopped. Seismograph [Omori-Bosch seismograph ] N-S 120 mm, 

W-E 90 mm, vertical 15 mm. The shaking was followed by another very 

weak one. Microseismic agitation several hours before and after the shock. 

L&S1995(5)

T&R1977(5)

-72.1892 18.4909 Grande-Riviere (Scherer, 1910b): 2 h 30 m. a.m. [local time] shock E-W. CHF(3)

-72.2403 19.5257 Dondon (Scherer, 1910b): 2 h 30 m. a.m. [local time] shock E-W. CHF(3)

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Scherer, 1910b): 2 h 25 m. a.m. [local time] 2 shocks. CHF(3)

August 3, 1910

Time: 05:58:45 PM Port-au-Prince, local mean time (22:48:06 UTC) 

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 25 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3062 18.4165 Furcy (Scherer, 1910b): 5 h 58 m p.m. [local time] Based on the details of the 

tremor, it was stronger than that in Port-au-Prince; intensity VI [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity] direction SE, lasted 50 seconds. The vertical motion was so strong 

that objects placed on the floor or table were raised and rattled. People 

standing were trying to maintain their balance. It was the second phase that 

was the strongest.

CHF(5)

-72.2864 18.5107 Petionville (Scherer, 1910b): Several successive tremors for one minute, direction E. 

The main shock displaced furniture and unhooked doors, which denotes 

strong vertical shaking, intensity VI [Rossi-Forel Intensity].

CHF(5)

WHB(6)

-72.0630 18.5331 Ganthier (Scherer, 1910b): A strong tremor, S direction. CHF(5)

-72.0943 18.6519 Thomazeau (Scherer, 1910b): Shake strong enough to ring the bell inside the clock tower 

of the church.

CHF(5)

-72.7558 18.1819 Bainet (Scherer, 1910b): Many successive tremors, lasting one minute, S direction. 

Objects placed on tables were overthrown.

CHF(5)

WHB(5)

-72.1892 18.4909 Grande Riviere (Scherer, 1910b): Strong tremor, NE direction, lasting one minute. CHF(4)

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel (Scherer, 1910b): The shaking started lightly growing stronger, direction SE, 

lasting 50 seconds. The objects were thrown down and furniture displaced. 

Four kilometers from the village, a retaining wall collapsed. 

CHF(5)

WHB(6)

-72.6334 18.5111 Leogane (Scherer, 1910b): A strong tremor, SE direction; lasted 15 seconds in the 

city; the duration was longer in the heights. Heard a noise similar to that of 

the collapse of a wall.

CHF(4)
111

August 3, 1910

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Scherer, 1910b): 5 h 58 m 45 s. p.m. [local time] strong earthquake, intensity 

V [Rossi-Forel Intensity] ESE direction, approximately one minute in 

duration. Can distinguish on the seismogram 6 phases, the second of which 

was stronger for the horizontal component; it was accompanied by a strong 

vertical component [Omori-Bosch seismograph]. Small bells were tolled. The 

strongest earthquake felt in Port-au-Prince since September 23, 1887.

CHF(4)

-73.3447 18.5028 Anse-a-Veau (Scherer, 1910b): Strong shaking, E direction, lasting 10 seconds. The dishes 

were broken. Have not felt for several years an earthquake so violent.

CHF(4)

WHB(5)

-73.0861 18.4423 Miragoane (Scherer, 1910b): Weak tremor but long duration, followed by two stronger 

tremors.

CHF(4)

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit-Goave (Scherer, 1910b): The tremor was felt by everyone, but people on horseback 

did not notice it.

CHF(4)

-73.8890 18.5671 Corail (Scherer, 1910b): The first earthquake at 5 h 58 m p.m. [local time] direction 

SE. The signs on many houses fell. The next shock was weaker.

CHF(4)

-74.1145 18.6446 Jeremie (Scherer, 1910b): Very strong tremor; many sections of walls cracked and 

objects overthrown with force. Intensity VII [Rossi-Forel Intensity], S 

direction.

CHF(4)

-72.6978 19.1081 St. Marc (Scherer, 1910b): A strong tremor lasting one minute; it composes of three 

phases, the first medium, the second heavy, the third weak, ESE direction. 

The population was terrified. The earthquake of Miragoane April 6, 1909, 

was stronger according to M. A. Tovar who witnessed both.

CHF(4)

-73.0366 18.8388 Ile de la Gonave (Scherer, 1910b): A strong tremor overthrowing dishes and jugs of water, S 

direction, lasting 35 seconds. The sea has remained calm as a lake.

CHF(4)

WHB(5)

-72.5126 18.7701 Arcahaie (Scherer, 1910b): Tremor weaker than in Gonaives, S direction. CHF(4)

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Scherer, 1910b): Two tremors felt by everyone, S direction. The first shock 

started with vibrations became oscillatory and lasted 11 seconds, the second 

oscillatory lasted 15 seconds.

CHF(4)

-74.3959 18.3242 Tiburon (Scherer, 1910b): Strong tremor of short duration. CHF(4)

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Scherer, 1910b): Two tremors, lasting 30 seconds, E direction. CHF(4)

-73.3745 19.8052 Mole-St. Nicholas (Scherer, 1910b): Strong tremor, NE direction. The tremor reminded of the 

earthquake of September 23, 1887 when many houses were damaged.

CHF(3)

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Scherer, 1910b): First shock easily felt lasting 5 seconds, the second very 

strong, which made everyone leave the houses, lasting 12 seconds, intensity 

CHF(3)

WHB(4)
112

August 3, 1910

V [Rossi-Forel Intensity ] E direction, a third weak tremor lasting 3 seconds.

-72.4308 19.8144 Bayeux (Scherer, 1910b): The tremor was relatively weak and passed unnoticed for 

three quarters of the population. 

CHF(3)

-72.8370 19.9408 Port-de-Paix (Scherer, 1910b): Two tremors were noticed of a total duration of 5 seconds. 

The first was longer, SE direction, no sound was heard in the city but in the 

countryside, the sound was similar to that of a storm.

CHF(3)

- - Mt. Holstein, Jamaica (Hall, 1922): Seismometer at Mt. Holstein, Jamaica recorded a light shock at 

6:00 PM [local time], from N.W., .022 [period?].

-

August 4, 1910

Time: 02:20:00 AM, Port-au-Prince local mean time (07:09:21 UTC) 

Phenomenon Notes: Aftershocks of August 3, 1910 

Number of Observations: 10 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Scherer, 1910b): 2 h 20 m a.m. [local time] A tremor, ESE direction, intensity 

II [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

-

-72.6334 18.5111 Leogane (Scherer, 1910b): The 4th at 2 h 20 m a.m. [local time] another smaller tremor, 

accompanied by rolling, SE direction. 

-

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel (Scherer, 1910b): The 4th at 2 h 20 m a.m. [local time] New tremor very 

weak, woke up many people. 

-

-73.8890 18.5671 Corail (Scherer, 1910b): The 4th at 2 h 20 m a.m. [local time] another small tremor, 

NE direction. 

-

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Scherer, 1910b): The 4th at 2 h 20 m a.m. [local time] another tremor lasting 

10 seconds, E direction.

-

-73.0366 18.8388 Ile de la Gonave (Scherer, 1910b): The 4th at 2 h 20 m a.m. [local time] another tremor not as 

strong. (Mr. l'abbe Collin) 

-

-72.0943 18.6519 Thomazeau (Scherer, 1910b): The 4th at 2 h 20 m a.m. [local time] another tremor lasting 

2 minutes.

-

-72.7558 18.1819 Bainet (Scherer, 1910b): The 4th at 2 h 20 m a.m. [local time] another tremor very 

weak, S direction.

-

-72.1892 18.4909 Grande Riviere (Scherer, 1910b): In the night at 2 h 20 another tremor, NW direction. -

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Scherer, 1910b): The 4th 2 h 20 m a.m. [local time] another tremor very 

weak. 

-
113

October 6, 1911 

Time: 10:16:12.0 UTC earthquake origin time; 05:28:30 AM, Port-au-Prince local mean time (10:17:51 UTC)

Land Surface Effects: In the village of Cotte-Plage that is now in Carrefour the train rails were shifted out of place. Landslides on the mountain Le Selle, near 

Furcy. 

Phenomenon Notes: (-70.5° W, 19.0° N) depth = 0.0 km, Ms = 6.8 (Engdahl and Villaseñor, 2002) This earthquake most severely affected the central region of 

Hispaniola and the aftershocks were mostly felt in that region. 

Number of Observations: 64 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.0107 19.1453 Hinche (Le Nouvelliste,1911): This Friday the 6th, at 6 in the morning, we felt two 

strong shocks from earthquakes. The first, the strongest I have felt since 

living here, lasted a long time; the second much less, only a few seconds 

long. * * * The noise produced by the first tremor can be compared to, for 

those that were outdoors, like the rolling by of a cavalry at a strong run; for 

those who were indoors, the shock felt like when one is in a terrible train 

wagon from the P.C.S, whose locomotive was at full speed to the plain of 

Cul-de-Sac. * * * and behold, at the moment I sign this letter (half past 

noon) a new tremor just happened that lasted a few seconds. 

(Scherer, 1912b): Lasted two minutes, S direction, intensity VIII to IX 

[Rossi-Forel Intensity]. The tremors were jerky and finished with undulations. 

A loud noise like a furious wind had preceded the shock. The church was 

damaged, a large door that was blocked was unleveled and part of the 

cornice in the south-east fell down. The large crucifix on the high altar and 

many statues fell to the ground. A prison wall collapsed. We had some 

difficulty standing. A horse with its rider fell to his knees. Second tremor at 

6 h 15 m. Third at 11h 50 m. Fourth at 28 minutes past noon (very strong 

jerking). Fifth at 7 h 30 m and a sixth between 10 and 11 at night. Other 

shocks after midnight and the following days.

CHF(8)

WHB(6)

SISF(7)

L&S1995(8)

T&R1977(8)

-71.7894 19.1634 Cerca-La-Source (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted 30 seconds, SE direction, intensity IX [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity]. Motion oscillatory and very fast. The church was strongly 

constructed of stone, the arches of brick. The choir rotunda is greatly 

damaged. Four arches are broken; the one to the North-East fell. The corner 

of the front door, to the South-West is heavily cracked. The high altar 

crucifix fell down. The rectory solidly built of stone is obliquely cracked in 

ten locations, one inside wall is so cracked that it lets through daylight. The 

inhabitants were frightened, the oldest not remembering an earthquake as 

strong. The region was not yet inhabited in 1887. Second tremor at half past 

CHF(7)

WHB(6)

SISF(7)
114

October 6, 1911 

10h. Third at half past noon. Fourth at 2h 30 m. Fifth at 7 h 25 m. and a 

sixth around 10 h at night. 

-71.2325 18.8074 San Juan de la Maguana (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted 30 seconds, intensity IX to X [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

The parish church constructed of stone was reduced to ruins, much damage 

to the cemetery. Individual losses were very considerable. Among the 

houses damaged, the pharmacy Esperanza collapsed. The printing house of 

the journal “Eco de Santome” was turned upside down. There were no 

accidents to report except for a few bruises. But in Vallejuelo, a section of 

San Juan, a woman and two children died as a result of the earthquake. In 

the countryside to the East and West of San Juan, the tremors caused great 

disruption. The earth opened in Palomino, situated between Loma Tina 

(3140 meters of elevation) and San Juan, and there came a torrent. The 

same for Las Matas or Fanfan, a crevasse brought forth a gush of water that 

went to the river Macasia. Landslides are reported along the shores of 

Yague del Sur and especially near Tubano. The tremors lasted for several 

days in the area of San Juan. 

(de Utrera, 1995): Very strong tremors on October 6, 1911 (named the 

earthquake of San Bruno) [...] Completely ruined the church in San Juan de 

la Maguana. 

CHF(7)

SISF(7)

L&S1995(8)

T&R1977(8)

-71.9362 18.8303 Las Caobas (Scherer, 1912b): Tomonde, Belladere. The houses are constructed of wood 

and the panels between the posts are filled with limestone and mortar, others 

with cob. Many panels fell or cracked. Cracks were found at the church. 

Throughout the region, it is clear that it is the strongest earthquake felt since 

1842.

CHF(7)

WHB(5)

SISF(6)

L&S1995(5)

T&R1977(5)

-71.7074 19.0793 Banica (Scherer, 1912a): The region disturbed on October 6th last is indeed the long 

strip of land passing by Azua, San Juan, Cerca la Source, Banica, Hinche 

and especially that which runs along near the Grande Hilera, commonly 

called Cibao.

CHF(8)

WHB(-)

SISF(7)

-72.1892 18.4909 Grande Riviere (Scherer, 1912b): The primary school was greatly damaged. The walls were 

cracked, the arches were thrown down and crevasses fell from all the corner 

crevices. The establishment has become uninhabitable. Intensity VII [RossiForel Intensity]. 

CHF(6)

SISF(7)

-72.2403 19.5257 Dondon (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted 30 to 40 seconds. Tremors were in the form of 

pulses. Intensity VII [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. The keystone to two arches of 

CHF(6)

SISF(7)
115

October 6, 1911 

the rectory fell, four slits on the walls. The gabled sacristy fell. Two houses 

were greatly damaged. A table in the middle of a room turned around itself 

and objects placed on top of it fell down. There was a big stir among the 

inhabitants. Second tremor at 30 past noon.

-72.1260 19.6688 Limonade (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted 66 seconds, S direction, intensity VI to VII [RossiForel Intensity]. Many objects fell over and broke. A floor tiled with bricks 

well compiled overturned and had hundreds of breaks. About thirty slates of 

the church fell. One house newly constructed is cracked. An old house 

collapsed. A water mill was greatly disrupted. The tremor was weaker than 

that of September 23, 1887. The sound of the abyss was heard on October 4 

at half past 5 h in the morning from the NE direction. 

CHF(6)

-71.9207 19.4350 Valliere (Scherer, 1912b): Many objects fell or detached from the walls. Some 

sections of wall crumbled. Minimal damages. Intensity VI [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity].

CHF(6)

-71.7223 19.5501 Ouanaminthe (Scherer, 1912b): The majority of objects from the church fell or were 

displaced. The rectory floor, built with thick walls, was cracked in several

places especially along the west edge. On the south edge of the church 

tower has a large crack. A house wall, built on very solid ground suffered 

more than the rectory. But the earthquake of September 23, 1887 was 

stronger that of October 6. The church then was so strongly shaken that it 

had to be strengthened. Intensity VII [Rossi-Forel Intensity].

CHF(6)

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted 15 to 20 seconds, W direction, intensity VII to VIII 

[Rossi-Forel Intensity]. The tremor commenced with a soft oscillatory motion 

accompanied by an underground noise, then immediately followed by 

strong vibrations and very irregular. The bells from the public clock, the 

Cathedral and Santa Clara were set into motion and rang. In the countryside 

of San Carlos, many houses were damaged. At the Cathedral, the tower not 

only suffered but also the church. Old crevasses opened further and it will 

take considerable work to repair. Second tremor at half past noon. Third 

around 8 h in the evening.

CHF(6)

SISF(7)

-70.3321 18.2799 Bani (Scherer, 1912b): Violent shaking and very prolonged. They feared a 

catastrophe.

CHF(6)

-71.4178 18.4832 Neyba (Scherer, 1912b): Yaguate. Strong tremor lasting 8 seconds, the same at 

Bahardua and Neyba.

CHF(6)

-70.7333 18.4532 Azua (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted 30 seconds, intensity IX [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. The CHF(6)
116

October 6, 1911 

earthquake was composed of a series of oscillations and vibrations very 

distinct, and all of a sudden the oscillations and vibrations were 

simultaneous. The belfry and parish church were seriously damaged. A wall 

of the training college and another of the former convent of the sisters of 

mercy collapsed. Many trading houses built of stone and a pharmacy 

subsequently had great material losses, estimated at several thousand 

dollars. In the property of S. Oviedo there were a large number of cracks 

where water gushed out in abundance. Several aftershocks were felt during 

the day: at 8 h, and 10 h in the evening at about 2 o'clock in the morning.

SISF(7)

-72.1395 19.1747 Maissade (Scherer, 1912b): ESE direction, Tremor noticed for its long duration. Many 

cracks appeared on houses made of cob [mud]. Nobody was scared. Abyssal 

noise heard several times. 

CHF(6)

WHB(4)

SISF(6)

L&S1995(5)

T&R1977(5)

-72.3340 19.3708 St. Michel de l'Atalaye (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted 30 seconds, E direction, intensity V to VI [RossiForel Intensity]. The first tremor resembled a formidable gale. Loud cracking 

sounds in the buildings. No damage. Heard the “sound of the abyss” in the 

morning.

CHF(4)

SISF(6)

L&S1995(5)

T&R1977(5)

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Le Matin, 1911): The microseismic activity has lasted day and night. Four 

felt tremors, the first at 10 o’clock in the morning; the second at midday and 

36 minutes, the third at 7 h. 30 m and the fourth at 10h 46 m at night. 

Intensity II; direction varies between SSE and E. 

(Scherer, 1911a; Scherer, 1911c): [Originally published in the paper Le Matin of Oct 

6, 1911.] 5h 28m 30s in the morning. A very strong tremor preceded by a 

loud rumble, together lasting one minute. NE-SW direction, on the 30th 

second the motion seemed to be vertical and eventually finished South. 

Intensity VI [Rossi-Forel Intensity] The motion is oscillatory, resembling 

the pitching of a ship. The trees swayed heavily, several clocks stopped. 

People standing tried to remain upright. Some walls cracked. However, 

their solidity was no longer secure. The shock exceeds that of August 3, 

1910 and approaches that of September 23, 1887. 

(Scherer, 1912b): Lasted one minute, NE direction, in the end from the 

South, intensity VI [Rossi-Forel Intensity] motion oscillatory. Some walls 

cracked. See the previous bulletin.

CHF(6)

L&S1995(5)

T&E1977(5)

-72.2864 18.5107 Petionville (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted 10 to 15 seconds, NE direction, intensity VI [Rossi- CHF(6)
117

October 6, 1911 

Forel Intensity] The chandelier in the church strongly swayed; objects fell. A 

strong thud like that of a violent wind preceded the two tremors.

-72.3062 18.4165 Furcy (Scherer, 1912b): (near Selle) the tremor was so strong that they could not 

stand and had to lie on the floor. Objects placed on tables fell to the ground. 

They talk about a rock fall on the side of la Selle.

CHF(6)

SISF(6)

-72.2273 18.5758 Croix de Bouquets (Scherer, 1912b): E direction, intensity VI [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. Everyone 

was frightened and got out of the houses.

CHF(6)

-72.0630 18.5331 Ganthier (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted one minute, ENE direction, intensity VI [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity] Large cracks along the framework of the houses. The books in the 

library fell down. Movement oscillatory. A second tremor at 11h 4 1⁄2 

minutes in the morning. Motion pulsating and not as strong.

CHF(6)

-72.0943 18.6519 Thomazeau (Scherer, 1912b): Parish pendulum clock stopped. Cracks in some walls, 

tossing of church chandeliers, large cracks on the roofs. Intensity VI [RossiForel Intensity].

CHF(6)

-72.5126 18.7701 Arcahaie (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted 30 seconds, E direction, Intensity VI [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity]. Large cracks in structures. Great emotion in the church; they 

remained on site. The clock oscillating E to W stopped. Great noises from 

the trees. Motion resembled the roll of a ship. The very old thought of the 

earthquakes of 1842 and 1860.

CHF(6)

-72.7000 19.1167 Saint Marc (Scherer, 1912b): The first tremor at 4h in the morning. The tremor at half 

past 5h lasted 64 seconds, S direction, Intensity VI [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

Hard swaying of suspended objects. Minor cracks seemed to widen. A third 

tremor 26 minutes past noon and a fourth one at 7h 25 m in the evening.

CHF(6)

-72.6933 19.2464 Petit Riviere de l'Artibonite (Scherer, 1912b): E direction, tremor very strong but less than that of 

September 23, 1887 because at that time the church had been heavily 

cracked. This time the palace of King Christopher, an arch on the east fell. 

The rest of the palace was already in ruins. Several shocks were felt in the 

day.

CHF(5)

-72.2004 18.8160 Saut-D'Eau (Scherer, 1912b): Very strong tremors at 5h 28m, at 26 past noon at 7h 25 m 

and at 10 h 45m in the evening.

CHF(6)

-72.1040 18.8336 Mirebalais (Scherer, 1912b): Two successive tremors lasting 50 seconds, the first very 

long. SSW and NE directions, everything seemed to bounce in place, 

Intensity VI to VII [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. Very large cracks on the buildings, 

many walls damaged, a part of a wall fell down. Tremor preceded by a thud 

CHF(6)
118

October 6, 1911 

sound. The people were scared and many say that this earthquake was the 

strongest felt in a very long time. A second tremor at 8h 36 m in the 

morning almost as strong and the earlier one in the morning but of short 

duration. A third one at 10 h 30 m (weak). Afterwards the inhabitants 

continued to feel tremors during the day.

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted 50 seconds, SW direction, intensity VI [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity]. Maximum intensity at about the 10th second. Cracks on buildings, 

objects fell, one house was damaged. Second tremor at 30 past noon, 

intensity III [Rossi-Forel Intensity] lasting 4 seconds. A third tremor at 7 h 35 

m, intensity II [Rossi-Forel Intensity] lasting 3 seconds. A fourth tremor in the 

night.

CHF(5)

-72.4685 19.5974 Plaisance (Scherer, 1912b): E direction, The walls that were damaged in 1887, was 

damaged more. The rectory that was deteriorating is now quite damaged.

CHF(5)

-72.4308 19.8144 Bayeux (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted 30 seconds, NE direction, intensity VI [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity]. Tremor was strong enough to the point it rang the village bell, 

suspended on a fig tree branch. Second tremor at 8h 35 m in the morning. 

Third tremor at 25 minutes past noon. Movement undulating.

CHF(6)

WHB(5)

-72.4025 19.7066 Limbe (Scherer, 1912b): NE direction, intensity VI [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. The church 

and rectory seesawed like shaking trees in the wind, so much so they feared 

it would collapse. No accident occurred. Second tremor at 25 past noon. 

Third tremor at 7 h 25 m and a fourth one around half past 11 at night.

CHF(5)

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted 35 to 40 seconds, SE direction, intensity VI to VII 

[Rossi-Forel Intensity]. Furniture displaced, dishes on shelves fell down. 

Ringing of bells in the house. Pendulum clocks stopped; large cracks on the 

arches of the cathedral. A part of the wall that was badly constructed was 

knocked down, fell to the SE. The wall is E to W. Many houses were 

cracked. Everyone was very frightened and many lied down, the following 

night they took shelter in the higher fortifications. In the cathedral panic 

occurred; many people fell and got trampled. The tremor struck in a form 

like a regular swing and very regular. Second tremor at 25 minutes past 

noon. The third at 7 h 35 m; the latest tremors were felt by everyone.

CHF(5)

SISF(6)

-71.8397 19.6668 Fort Liberte (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted 35 to 40 seconds, S direction, motion undulating. 

The rectory rolled like on a ship and the old structure groaned miserably. 

The trees made oscillations 30 degrees in amplitude. All this without 

accidents. Several people on boat came from Cap Haitien, heard in front of 

CHF(5)
119

October 6, 1911 

Caracol a thud, appearing to come from offshore. The ship suddenly 

stopped and was tossed around. The sea begins to boil as one sees when the 

water becomes hot enough. There were no tidal waves at Fort Liberte.

-71.6507 19.8474 Monte Cristi (Scherer, 1912b): Three strong tremors of a long duration. CHF(4)

-70.6937 19.7971 Puerto Plata (Scherer, 1912b): SSW direction, intensity V [Rossi-Forel Intensity], loud 

cracking in buildings, pendulum clocks stopped, swaying of trees, no effect 

on the walls and no noise. The population was alarmed.

CHF(4)

-70.7075 19.4502 Santiago de los Caballeros (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted one minute, intensity VI [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

Second tremor very weak at 20 minutes past noon.

CHF(4)

-70.4180 19.3796 Salcedo (Scherer, 1912b): Great panic, they left their houses, intensity VI [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity].

CHF(4)

-70.1099 19.1824 Pimentel (Scherer, 1912b): Violent tremor, few damages. CHF(5)

WHB(4)

-70.5246 19.3929 Moca (Scherer, 1912b): Violent tremor, few damages. CHF(5)

WHB(4)

-70.5327 19.2239 La Vega (Scherer, 1912b): Violent tremor, few damages. CHF(5)

WHB(4)

-70.1531 19.0577 Cotui (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted one minute, W direction, intensity V [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity]. A tank shy of a few inches full of water spilled out East to West. 

No damage. All the houses are wooden. The tremor was preceded by a faint 

noise. A second tremor between 11 and noon. A third about 8 h in the 

evening and a fourth one in the night.

CHF(5)

-69.3390 19.2061 Samana (Scherer, 1912b): Strong tremor, lasting 8 seconds. CHF(4)

SISF(6)

-69.3112 18.4526 San Pedro de Macoris (Scherer, 1912b): A strong tremor without producing much emotion. 

Intensity V to VI [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

CHF(4)

-74.2572 18.5613 Moron (Scherer, 1912b): (near the Hotte) 3 distinct tremors a few seconds apart, the 

second tremor very violent. The dew drops accumulated in the trees fell 

like rain. Large cracks along the framework, some pieces of mortar fell. The 

people came out of the houses. Intensity V [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. The second 

is much weaker than that of August 3, 1910, but it was stronger to the 

Sources-Chaudes between Moron and Tiburon.

CHF(4)

SISF(6)

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Scherer, 1912b): Two successive tremors, lasting 15 seconds, NE direction, 

intensity IV [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. Stopped a pendulum clock; swaying of 

water in a pond, cracking along framework. However, not everyone noticed 

CHF(4)
120

October 6, 1911 

the phenomenon.

-73.3971 18.2816 Aquin (Scherer, 1912b): Lasting 10 seconds, N direction, intensity III to IV [RossiForel Intensity]. Not everyone noticed the tremor. Movement oscillatory.CHF(3)

-73.3447 18.5028 Anse-a-Veau (Scherer, 1912b): Short duration, E direction, intensity III to IV [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity]. 

CHF(3)

-73.0861 18.4423 Miragoane (Scherer, 1912b): Two distinct tremors, each lasting 3 seconds, NE direction, 

intensity III [Rossi-Forel Intensity], they made people worry. 

CHF(4)

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit-Goave (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted one minute, E direction, intensity IV [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity]. Awoke those sleeping. 

CHF(4)

SISF(5)

-72.7558 18.1819 Bainet (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted one minute and a half, NE direction, intensity IV 

[Rossi-Forel Intensity]. Cracks in frameworks, tremor noticed by everyone, 

very strong in the hills.

CHF(5)

-72.6334 18.5111 Leogane (Scherer, 1912b): NE direction, intensity V [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. In the hills, 

people were scared. 

CHF(4)

-72.4105 18.5528 Carrefour (Le Matin, 1911): As a result of the earthquake yesterday there was a violent 

opening of the rails on the P.C.S. at Cotte-Plage. Over a distance of about 

50 meters, the rails were bent by the shock and nails pulled out. As a result 

the train from Leogane derailed. Although the traffic was interrupted for 

several minutes, in that time the passengers from Leogane and from the 

town changed trains and the locomotives returned to each station of 

departure. Therefore the schedule was kept. During the day the track was 

completely repaired. 

-

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted one minute, SE direction, intensity V [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity]. Motion oscillatory; pendulum clock stopped, it worked E to W. 

Furniture displaced slightly. Two old buildings collapsed, the earthquake 

appears to be the strongest since 1860.

CHF(4)

-72.7275 19.5622 Terre-Neuve (Scherer, 1912b): Weak tremor, E direction, intensity II to III [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity]. Similarly in the Bay of Henne.

CHF(3)

-73.3745 19.8052 Mole-St. Nicholas (Scherer, 1912b): Bombarde to Jean-Rabel. Rather weak tremor, felt by 

everyone, intensity III [Rossi-Forel Intensity].

CHF(3)

-72.8370 19.9408 Port-de-Paix (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted 20 seconds, S direction like a ripple of water in a 

bowl, intensity IV to V [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. A few cracks in the roofs. 

People left the church immediately. It was the same for St. Louis du Nord.

CHF(4)
121

October 6, 1911 

-72.8024 19.7799 Bassin-Bleu (Scherer, 1912b): Weak tremor and of short duration. CHF(3)

-72.8043 20.0507 Ile de la Tortue (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted 3 seconds, S direction, intensity III [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity]. 

CHF(3)

-72.6836 19.6699 Gros-Morne (Scherer, 1912b): Lasting 30 seconds, S direction, intensity V [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity] Large cracks on the structure of the village church which dates to 

1785. The faithful left it immediately. The isolated columns of a brick 

church under construction did not suffer. The village church survived the 

earthquake of 1842; however the building suffered then. The strongest 

earthquake felt was that of September 23, 1887. The grand river was then 

diverted from its course to Passe-Moulin.

CHF(4)

-72.5230 19.8463 Borgne (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted one minute, SW direction, intensity V [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity]. Population terrified, intensity VI.

CHF(4)

-74.3959 18.3242 Tiburon (Scherer, 1912b): The tremor was preceded by a noise we thought was like a 

gun in the distance, intensity III [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

CHF(3)

SISF(5)

-74.4222 18.5605 Dame-Marie (Scherer, 1912b): Lasted one minute. Noise from furniture and objects 

hanging on the wall. Out in the countryside, the phenomenon was barely 

observed. Intensity III [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. The last earthquake of this 

intensity to date is January, 1909.

CHF(3)

-74.1657 18.2746 Chardonnieres (Scherer, 1912b): A slight tremor, almost unnoticed. Intensity II [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity].

CHF(3)

-74.1145 18.6446 Jeremie (Scherer, 1912b): Tremor observed by a certain number of people, lasting 30 

seconds, E direction, intensity III [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. Much lower than 

that of August 30, 1910. There is talk of a shock already felt the day before.

CHF(3)

October 6, 1911 to March 5, 1912

Time: Various times

Phenomenon Notes: Aftershocks of October 6, 1911; according to Branner (1912) up to March 5, 1912. Times are in Port-au-Prince local mean time, +04:49:21 

Greenwich time. 

Number of Observations: 16 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.0630 18.5331 Ganthier (Scherer, 1912b): Second tremor at 11:04.5 in the morning. -

-72.7000 19.1167 Saint Marc (Scherer, 1912b): A third at 12:26 PM and a fourth at 7:25 in the evening. -

-72.2004 18.8160 Saut-D'Eau (Scherer, 1912b): 12:26 PM, 7:25 PM, 10:45 PM. -

-72.1040 18.8336 Mirebalais (Scherer, 1912b): Second tremor at 8:36 AM, third at 10:30 PM, continued to -
122

October 6, 1911 to March 5, 1912

feel tremors during the day. 

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Scherer, 1912b): Second tremor at 12:30PM, a third tremor at 7:35 PM a 

fourth felt at night.

-

-72.4308 19.8144 Bayeux (Scherer, 1912b): Second tremor at 8:35 AM, third at 12:25 PM. -

-72.4025 19.7066 Limbe (Scherer, 1912b): Second tremor at 12:25 PM, third at &:25 PM and fourth at 

11:30 PM. 

-

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Scherer, 1912b): Second tremor at 12:25 PM, third at 7:35 PM. -

-72.2403 19.5257 Dondon (Scherer, 1912b): Second tremor at 12:30 PM. -

-70.1531 19.0577 Cotui (Scherer, 1912b): Second tremor between 11 and noon, a third around 8 at 

night and a fourth at midnight.

-

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Scherer, 1912b): Second tremor at 12:30 PM, third around 8 at night. -

-70.7333 18.4532 Azua (Scherer, 1912b): Several aftershocks were felt during that day, at 8:00 AM, 

10:00 PM and at about 2 AM.

-

-71.2325 18.8074 San Juan de la Maguana (Scherer, 1912b): The tremors lasted for several days in the region of San 

Juan. 

-

-71.7894 19.1634 Cerca-La-Source (Scherer, 1912b): Second tremor at 10:30AM, a third at 12:30PM, a fourth at 

2:30 PM a fifth at 7:25 PM and a sixth around 10:00 PM at night. 

-

-72.0107 19.1453 Hinche (Scherer, 1912b): Second tremor at 6:15 AM, third at 11:50 AM, a fourth at 

12:28 PM (very strong and jerky) a fifth at 7:30 PM and a sixth between 10 

and 11 at night. Several shocks after midnight and the following days after. 

-

- - Hispaniola (Haiti) (Branner, 1912): Other shocks occurred in Haiti as follows: September 7; 

October 4, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 23; November 5 and 28; December 

11 and March 5. None of these however had an intensity greater than IV 

[Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

-

July 20, 1912

Time: 08:50:00 AM, Port-au-Prince local mean time (13:39:21 UTC)

Phenomenon Notes: Second earthquake at 09:03:00 AM (13:52:21 UTC). 

Number of Observations: 4 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Scherer, 1912c): According to the newspapers from Santo Domingo, the 

bells of the cathedral and clock were set into motion.

CHF(5)

SISF(6.5)

-70.6937 19.7971 Puerto Plata (Scherer, 1912c): At 8h 50 m, intensity II [Rossi-Forel Intensity] lasting 5 CHF(4)
123

July 20, 1912

seconds; a second tremor at 9h 4m intensity III [Rossi-Forel Intensity] 

Direction SE. According to the newspapers from Santo Domingo, the bells 

of the cathedral and clock were set into motion.

-72.2403 19.5257 Dondon (Scherer, 1912c): At 9h 3m light tremor lasting 4 to 5 seconds, intensity II 

[Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

CHF(3)

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Scherer, 1912c): At 9h 3m weak tremor, intensity III [Rossi-Forel Intensity] E 

direction; registered on the Omori-Bosch seismogram, July 20 at 8:50 to 

8:54 amplitude 7 mm and July 20 at 9:03 to 9:08 amplitude 56 mm: this 

movement and the next were felt on the Dominican side. 

CHF(3)

September 6, 1912

Time: 11:59:00 PM Port-au-Prince local mean time (04:48:21 UTC, September 7, 1912)

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 29 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.0107 19.1453 Hinche (Scherer, 1912c): Strong undulating tremor, direction SE, lasting 25 seconds. 

The earthquake was less fearful than the one on October 6th last, because 

the motion was not as jerky, intensity VI [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

CHF(5)

-72.1892 18.4909 Grande Riviere (Scherer, 1912c): Strong vibrations enough to scare. A few cracks in a house, 

intensity VII [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. At Bahon, strong tremor. 

CHF(4)

-72.3340 19.3708 St. Michel de l'Atalaye (Scherer, 1912c): Strong tremor, direction N, statue fell and broke, house 

cracked, intensity VII [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

CHF(5)

-72.4025 19.7066 Limbe (Scherer, 1912c): Strong tremor, direction E, lasting 25 seconds. At the 

beginning and at the end the motion was oscillatory and strong vibrations in 

the middle for 10 seconds. Damages unimportant, the ancient cracks in the 

church grew larger, intensity VII [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

CHF(5)

-72.4685 19.5974 Plaisance (Scherer, 1912c): A pillar of the new presbytery collapsed and a second is 

heavily damaged. Following the earthquake the church received new cracks 

and the vestry is about to fall. Initial reports indicate that the mortar was not 

of good quality at that locality. intensity VII [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

CHF(5)

WHB(6)

-71.7223 19.5501 Ouanaminthe (Scherer, 1912c): Two tremors seeming to be stronger than that of October 

6th last, the shaking was regular and undulating and there were no damages, 

direction E, intensity VI [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

CHF(4)

-74.1145 18.6446 Jeremie (Scherer, 1912c): One could distinguish two successive shocks; the first CHF(4)
124

September 6, 1912

vertical and very strong, the second horizontal, direction E. Six seconds 

duration, the structures were lightly cracked, intensity IV [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity].

-73.3447 18.5028 Anse-a-Veau (Scherer, 1912c): Two successive tremors, of which the first one is of 10 

seconds duration, direction N, houses cracked, awoke many persons, 

windows moved, intensity IV [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

CHF(4)

WHB(5)

-73.0861 18.4423 Miragoane (Scherer, 1912c): A tremor, lasing more than a minute, direction N, cracked 

the roofs; objects were in motion, intensity IV [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

CHF(4)

WHB(5)

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit-Goave (Scherer, 1912c): Abrupt tremor awaking many people, 8 seconds duration, 

direction N, intensity IV [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

CHF(4)

-72.7558 18.1819 Bainet (Scherer, 1912c): Two strong tremors each lasting 3 to 4 seconds, cracking 

noises, woke up everyone, intensity IV [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

CHF(4)

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel (Scherer, 1912c): Tremor relatively weak, 30 seconds in duration, direction 

W, intensity III [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

CHF(3)

-72.3062 18.4165 Furcy (Scherer, 1912c): Tremor very strong, felt by the inhabitants, direction E, 30 

seconds duration, intensity IV [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

CHF(4)

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Scherer, 1912c): Tremor very strong, waking up pretty much everyone, 

direction NNE, intensity IV to V [Rossi-Forel Intensity] Omori-Bosch 

seismometer 6-7 Sept. 23:59 to 00:07, amplitude 65 mm, earthquake local 

intensity IV to V [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

CHF(4)

-72.0630 18.5331 Ganthier (Scherer, 1912c): Strong Tremor, direction N, intensity V [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity], it was not noticed in the hills (from Pays-Pourri to FondsVerrette). 

CHF(4)

-72.0943 18.6519 Thomazeau (Scherer, 1912c): Two tremors very strong. Everyone was awakened. Later 

reports say the tremors were very strong at Grands-Bois (district to the NE 

of Thomazeau). 

CHF(4)

-72.5126 18.7701 Arcahaie (Scherer, 1912c): Two strong tremors. CHF(4)

-72.1040 18.8336 Mirebalais (Scherer, 1912c): Two tremors each 15 to 20 seconds, the first one an 

intensity of IV [Rossi-Forel Intensity] the second one very strong, capable of 

causing damage, intensity VI [Rossi-Forel Intensity] direction SE. The 

population was not alarmed, however the force of the second tremor 

approached that of October 6th’s point of damage. 

CHF(4)

-72.7275 19.5622 Terre-Neuve (Scherer, 1912c): Tremor very strong, direction ESE, intensity IV to V CHF(4)
125

September 6, 1912

[Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Scherer, 1912c): One strong tremor, many objects fell, clocks stopped, 

direction E, intensity VI [Rossi-Forel Intensity] On the 5th at 5 in the morning 

a loud “noise of the abyss” was heard. 

CHF(4)

-73.3745 19.8052 Mole-St. Nicholas (Scherer, 1912c): Strong tremor, direction ENE, lasting 15 to 20 seconds, 

intensity V [Rossi-Forel Intensity] Vibrating motion, beginning and ending 

abruptly, it was possible to distinguish two successive shocks. At Bombarde 

it was also felt strongly. 

CHF(4)

-72.8024 19.7799 Bassin-Bleu (Scherer, 1912c): Strong tremor, direction E, 10 seconds duration, movement 

undulating did not cause damages. Noise of dishes but without any objects 

falling, intensity V [Rossi-Forel Intensity] Before and after the shock, noises 

similar to that of a train going at full speed. At Port-au-Paix the same tremor 

was very strong. The same day at 17:00 a light tremor accompanied by 

noise, intensity II [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

CHF(4)

-72.5230 19.8463 Borgne (Scherer, 1912c): Tremor very strong awaking everyone, no damages, 

intensity V [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

CHF(4)

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Scherer, 1912c): The tremor commenced lightly growing stronger in three 

seconds and finally ending strongly and abruptly without noise or rolling. 

Lasted 30 seconds, intensity IV to V [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

CHF(4)

-72.1260 19.6688 Limonade (Scherer, 1912c): Strong tremor lasting 7 seconds, intensity V [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity]. 

CHF(4)

-71.8397 19.6668 Fort Liberte (Scherer, 1912c): Strong tremor weaker than that of October 6th last, 

direction E, lasting 15 seconds, no serious damages, intensity VI [Rossi-Forel 

Intensity] But SW of Fort-Liberte the church of Perches had two cracks. The 

tremor was accompanied by a noise similar to that of a large cavalry moving 

away to the west.

CHF(4)

-74.1657 18.2746 Chardonnieres (Scherer, 1912c): A slight tremor unnoticed by most people, intensity II 

[Rossi-Forel Intensity]. 

CHF(3)

-74.2572 18.5613 Moron (Scherer, 1912c): Tremor fairly light, intensity III [Rossi-Forel Intensity]. CHF(3)

- - Hispaniola (Scherer, 1912c): The earthquake was not felt in Tiburon, Cayes, Aquin, 

Puerto Plata or in Santiago de los Caballeros. 

-

September 6, 1912 to September 13, 1912
126

September 6, 1912 to September 13, 1912

Time: Various times

Phenomenon Notes: Aftershocks of September 6, 1912. 

Number of Observations: 3 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Scherer, 1912c): September 7, 15:00, distinct tremor lasting 5 seconds 

intensity III [Rossi-Forel Intensity], September 8, one weak tremor in the 

morning. 

-

-72.5126 18.7701 Arcahaie (Scherer, 1912c): September 9, light tremor at 17:00 and on September 10 at

11:00. 

-

-72.8024 19.7799 Bassin-Bleu (Scherer, 1912c): September 13, at Port-au-Paix and Bassin Bleu, one light 

tremor at 6:00, lasting 2 seconds. 

-

April 24, 1916

Time: 04:26:42 UTC earthquake origin time; April 23, 1916, 11:30:00 PM, Santo Domingo local time (about 04:30:00 UTC, April 24, 1916)

Phenomenon Notes: (-68.0° W, 18.5° N) depth=80 km, mb=7.0 (Engdahl and Villaseñor, 2002). Magnitude intensities reported from the Bulletin are Rossi-Forel 

Intensities. The Port-au-Prince observatory recorded this earthquake with an Omori-Bosch seismometer. The P-wave arrival was at 04:24:54 UTC (Scherer, 1916). 

The seismic station in Vieques, Puerto Rico also recorded this earthquake with a Pn-wave arrival at 04:27:23 UTC (Humphreys ,1917). 

Number of Observations: 25 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.7923 18.9458 Boya (Scherer, 1916): At Boya, south of the Central Cordillera, their church was 

ruined.

CHF(6)

-69.6370 18.7520 Bayaguana (Scherer, 1916): A little further south at Guerra and Bayaguana the churches 

are almost completely destroyed, Intensity IX. 

CHF(6)

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (New York Times, 1916b): Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic April 24, A 

severe earthquake occurred here at 11:30 o'clock last night. No damage was 

done. 

(Pittsburgh Press, 1916): Severe earthquake shocks caused heavy damage 

throughout the island of Haiti last night and early today. Communication 

with interior points was broken off and it is feared there has been heavy loss 

of life. The tremors began before midnight but the most severe shock 

occurred early today. Many houses were razed. The government buildings 

were shaken. 

(Scherer, 1916): In Santo Domingo the intensity seems to have been VIII.

There were cracks in the walls of many buildings (the Church of Mercedes, 

CHF(5)

SISF(8.5)
127

April 24, 1916

a former Dominican convent and the Government Palace). The bells were 

ringing in the churches. 

(Taber, 1922): The earthquake of April 23, 1916, which had an intensity of 

VIII-IX in the eastern part of Santo Domingo, seems to have originated near 

the inner margin of the coastal plain or the southern flank of the Cordillera 

Central, but farther west than the epicenter area of the earthquake of 1882. 

-70.6937 19.7971 Puerto Plata (Scherer, 1916): Between 23h 49m and 23h 50m one observes three 

successive tremors: the middle one lasted 25 seconds, intensity VI; direction 

ENE. At the Cumbre Tunnel (Monte Cristi Mountain Chain) NNE direction. 

There were no damages at Puerto-Plata.

CHF(4)

-72.1260 19.6688 Limonade (Scherer, 1916): A strong tremor, Intensity V, direction NE lasting 30 

seconds. 

CHF(4)

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Scherer, 1916): Strong tremor, intensity V; direction E, lasting 10 seconds. 

Tremor felt at Bayeux. 

CHF(4)

-72.8370 19.9408 Port-de-Paix (Scherer, 1916): Fairly strong tremor, intensity IV, creaking of wood, no 

objects overthrown, direction E.

CHF(4)

-72.5504 19.6652 Pilate (Scherer, 1916): Tremor well felt, resembling a roll, intensity IV, lasting 20 

seconds, direction ENE.

CHF(4)

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Scherer, 1916): One strong tremor, intensity V, direction E, people began to 

worry, lasting 35 seconds. 

CHF(4)

-72.1040 18.8336 Mirebalais (Scherer, 1916): One strong tremor composed of many oscillations from E to 

W, intensity V to VI.

CHF(4)

-72.0943 18.6519 Thomazeau (Scherer, 1916): The bells, placed 3 meters from the ground, sounded, 

intensity Vi to VII. 

CHF(4)

-72.3062 18.4165 Furcy (Scherer, 1916): All of the inhabitants were awoken, objects fell, Intensity 

VI. 

CHF(4)

WHB(5)

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Scherer, 1916): One strong tremor, intensity V to VI, direction NE, lasting 

50 seconds, Omori-Bosch recorded P at 04:24:54 GMT. 

CHF(4)

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel (Scherer, 1916): A fairly strong tremor, intensity IV, direction N. One could 

distinguish three successive tremors. 

CHF(4)

-72.7558 18.1819 Bainet (Scherer, 1916): A fairly strong tremor, many people were woken up. The 

earthquake does not appear to have been felt on the rest of the southern 

peninsula. 

CHF(4)
128

April 24, 1916

-71.1462 21.4674 Grand Turks Island (Robson, 1964 quoting Barbados Globe, Apr. 25, 1916): At 11:40 pm, a shock of 

marked intensity. 

(Tomblin and Robson, 1977 quoting Daily Chronicle, Apr. 26, 1916): 23:40 local 

time, A shock of marked intensity followed by a weaker one which lasted for 

several minutes. 

CHF(3)

SISF(5)

R1964(5)

-66.6141 18.0115 Ponce, Puerto Rico (Tomblin and Robson, 1977 quoting Barbados Globe, Apr. 25, 1916): 00:30 A 

prolonged shock. 

CHF(3)

-64.9299 18.3500 St. Thomas, Virgin Islands (Robson, 1964 quoting Barbados Globe, Apr. 25, 1916): At 12:10 am, a 

prolonged shock. 

CHF(3)

SISF(4)

R1964(4)

-66.1057 18.4665 San Juan, Puerto Rico (New York Times, 1916a): San Juan P.R, April 24 – An earthquake shock 

lasting from six to ten seconds was felt here early this morning, shortly after 

midnight. No damage is reported. 

(Robson, 1964, quoting Port of Spain Gazette, Apr. 26, 1916): At 12:30 am, a 

severe shock. 

(Humphreys, 1917): Two shocks felt, 10 seconds duration, Timbers creaked. 

CHF(4)

SISF(5)

R1964(5)

-67.1407 18.2009 Mayaguez, Puerto Rico (Humphreys, 1917): Four shocks felt, 20 seconds duration, rattling sounds, 

various buildings cracked. 

CHF(5)

SISF(6)

-66.8777 18.2950 Lares, Puerto Rico (Humphreys, 1917): One shock felt, 30 seconds duration, partitions creaked. CHF(4)

-66.2664 18.1391 Aibonito, Puerto Rico (Humphreys, 1917): Three shocks felt, rumbling sound, doors moved. CHF(4)

-67.0250 18.5017 Isabela, Puerto Rico (Humphreys, 1917): One shock felt, walls cracked slightly. CHF(4)

-65.4248 18.1281 Vieques, Puerto Rico (Humphreys ,1917): Recorded Pn at 4:27:23 GMT, reported to have been felt 

in Vieques, PR. 

CHF(3)

SISF(2.5)

- - Georgetown University, 

Washington D.C., U.S. 

(Evening News, 1916): Washington, April 24 – Two severe earth vibrations 

estimated to be 1600 miles distant from Washington, were recorded by the 

seismograph at the Georgetown University. The first shock was recorded at 

11:31 o'clock last night, the vibrations continuing until 12:07 o'clock this 

morning. The second and most severe shock occurred at 3:06 o'clock this 

morning and continued until 4:15 o'clock. The second vibration was so 

intense that the needles of the seismograph were loosened.

-

January 15, 1922
129

January 15, 1922

Time: 06:37:58 UTC, 01:38:00 AM Port-au-Prince, 75th Meridian Time

Phenomenon Notes: Intensities inside the descriptions were assigned by the Port-au-Prince observatory and are Rossi-Forel Intensities (Scherer and Baltenweck, 

1922).

Number of Observations: 11 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1922): One very strong tremor that woke up 

everyone, intensity of V to VI duration of 4 seconds, direction S SE. The 

earthquake was felt at Canot, 32 km to the NW of Les Cayes at l’Ile a 

Vaches, and even some sailors say at sea. The houses were tremendously 

cracked, even those with reinforced concrete, many clocks were stopped, 

bottles and jars from the pharmacy were hitting each other. People had to 

abandon their homes. The main shock was preceded by a less violent jerk. 

-

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1922): At 1 h 38 m a.m. A very strong tremor, 

minor direction East, major direction South, duration 40 seconds, intensity 

IV to V. The tremor was felt at Petionville and at Furcy and within the 

plain Cul-de-Sac close to the Selle. 

-

-73.3447 18.5028 Anse-a-Veau (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1922): One very strong tremor, intensity V, duration 

of 10 seconds, direction E. The motion began with sharp vibrations, objects 

fell down. The tremor was followed by two more tremors at 5 minute 

intervals. 

-

-73.0861 18.4423 Miragoane (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1922): One strong tremor, lasting about 30 seconds, 

direction S. The movements had very large amplitudes, followed by two 

weak oscillations separately. Telegram from Mr. A. Tovar. 

-

-74.1145 18.6446 Jeremie (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1922): Two very strong tremors, creaking doors, 

intensity IV to V. 

-

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit Goave (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1922): One strong tremor, intensity IV to V, 

duration 6 seconds. 

-

-72.7558 18.1819 Bainet (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1922): Two strong tremors, together lasting 20 

seconds, intensity IV. 

-

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1922): One very strong tremor, intensity IV 

direction W. 

-

-72.6978 19.1081 St. Marc (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1922): One tremor of intensity III, duration 4 

seconds. 

-

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1922): One light tremor at 1h 38m a.m., intensity III 

direction W, duration 40 seconds. 

-
130

January 15, 1922

-74.3959 18.3242 Tiburon (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1922): The earthquake was not noticed. -

November 4, 1922

Time: 05:35:11 UTC, 00:35:00 AM Port-au-Prince local time, 75th Meridian Time

Phenomenon Notes: Intensity values in the descriptions were assigned by the Port-au-Prince observatory and are Rossi-Forel Intensities (Scherer and Baltenweck, 

1923). 

Number of Observations: 18 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1923): At midnight 35 m. One very strong tremor 

that woke up everyone causing fear. Intensity VI, duration 15 seconds. 

Remarkable vertical component, general barking of dogs. 

-

-72.2864 18.5107 Petionville (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1923): At the same hour. One very strong tremor, 

intensity VI, general awakening of those asleep, duration 10 seconds. 

Noises from the walls. The earthquake was preceded by two loud 

subterranean noises.

-

-72.0943 18.6519 Thomazeau (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1923): One strong tremor, intensity V. -

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1923): One quite strong tremor, intensity IV 

duration of 6 seconds. 

-

-72.7558 18.1819 Bainet (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1923): One strong tremor, intensity IV to V duration 

6 seconds, direction E. 

-

-73.3971 18.2816 Aquin (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1923): One strong tremor, intensity IV to V duration 

6 seconds, direction E. 

-

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1923): Two tremors felt by many persons with a 

duration of 2 to 4 seconds, intensity III to IV. 

-

-74.1145 18.6446 Jeremie (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1923): Vibrating motion, accompanied by a loud 

sound in some places. Intensity IV, coming from the east, duration of 10 

seconds. 

-

-73.3447 18.5028 Anse-a-Veau (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1923): One very strong tremor, intensity V, 

direction N, duration 15 seconds. 

-

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit Goave (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1923): One strong tremor, intensity V, duration 7 

seconds. 

-

-72.6978 19.1081 St. Marc (Bulletin, 1912): One very strong tremor, intensity IV, duration 5 seconds. -

-72.1040 18.8336 Mirebalais (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1923): The oscillatory motions of the east to west 

direction, duration 10 seconds, intensity IV.

-
131

November 4, 1922

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1922): One strong tremor, intensity IV to V, 

duration 30 seconds, direction E. 

-

-72.0984 18.3755 St. Michel (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1922): The tremor was generally noticed, intensity 

IV. 

-

-72.5504 19.6652 Pilate (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1922): One very strong tremor, duration 10 seconds; 

intensity IV to V, the dogs were making a commotion. 

-

-73.3745 19.8052 Mole-St.Nicolas (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1922): One tremor lasting 15 seconds, intensity IV, 

direction S to N, it is said that the earthquake was preceded by another. 

-

-72.8370 19.9408 Port-de-Paix (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1922): Two tremors of 4 and 6 seconds of duration 

felt by some of the inhabitants, some had left their houses, the bottles were 

thrown down, the dogs were howling, intensity V. The direction seemed to 

be vertical. 

-

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien (Scherer and Baltenweck, 1922): One tremor of intensity IV. -

July 29, 1943

Time: 03:02:20.56 UTC earthquake origin time; July 28, 1943, 11:06:00 PM San Juan, Puerto Rico local time

Phenomenon Notes: (-66.983° W, 19.090° N) depth = 35 km, Mw=7.6 (Engdahl and Villaseñor, 2002). A small description of this earthquake came out in the 

Seismological Notes section of the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America (Ulrich, 1943). The Port-au-Prince observatory recored the iP wave at 03:03:38 

UTC. 

Number of Observations: 11 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-66.6141 18.0115 Ponce, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011 quoting El Mundo, July 30, 1943): There were no 

personal injuries or damages worth complaining about except for the 

electric cables that snapped in various locations, especially on Molina 

Street, in front of the police station. At the tearing of the cables, it caused a 

small fire.

CHF(5)

-67.1407 18.2009 Mayaguez, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011 quoting El Mundo July 30, 1943): At 11:00 PM two 

strong earthquakes were felt that occurred almost seconds apart and each 

lasted about one minute. These shakes repeated again at 1:00 in the 

morning and then at 3:00 and at 4:00 in the morning but with less intensity. 

According to information from the police, there were no damages or 

personal injuries however the phones were interrupted. The habitants of 

Mayaguez comment the curious event that the clock of the Presbyterian 

church in the Marine stopped at 11:00 at night at the moment the first shock 

was felt. 

CHF(5)
132

July 29, 1943

-69.8877 18.4722 Ciudad Trujillo

(Santo Domingo) 

(Miami Daily News, 1943): Fairly strong earth tremors rocked this city and 

numerous inland centers late Wednesday night, but first reports indicated no 

serious damage. 

CHF(5)

-66.1057 18.4665 San Juan, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011 quoting El Mundo, July 29, 1943): Last night at 11:06 

it was felt in San Juan and Santurce the first of two earthquakes that 

according to calculations by the clock lasted close to a minute. 

(McCann and others, 2011 quoting El Mundo, July 30, 1943): In P.R. the first 

shock occurred at exactly 11:02 Wednesday night when the majority of the 

population had retired for the night in their homes. Thousands of people 

exited their homes at feeling the first tremor especially in the biggest cities 

on the island where the majority of the buildings are made of concrete. 

Fortunately, in the morning of yesterday, Thursday, there has been no 

information from personal injuries or damage to property according to the 

version dispatched by the police headquarters. We wait for final 

information. 

(Bodle, 1984): July 28, 23:02 [60th Meridian Time] Felt in San Juan by many. 

Instrumental data indicated the shock centered near 19.0° north, 67.2° west, 

about thirty-five miles off northwestern Puerto Rico. July 29: 21:04 [60th 

Meridian Time] San Juan Puerto Rico, Considerably less intense than the 

shock on the 28th, but was sufficient intensity to stop the pendulum clock in 

the Weather Bureau Office. It was felt by thousands of persons in Puerto 

Rico. 

CHF(4)

-66.0720 18.4487 Santurce, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011 quoting El Mundo, July 29, 1943): At 11:09 the second 

one was felt that was shorter of duration and was felt more in Santurce. 

CHF(4)

-66.1120 18.3579 Guaynabo, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011 quoting El Mundo, July 29, 1943): The seismic 

motions were also felt in Guaynabo and in Ponce, according to information 

we were able to receive last night. 

CHF(4)

-66.0347 18.2344 Caguas, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011 quoting El Mundo, July 30, 1943): There were no 

reported damages or personal injuries. 

CHF(3)

-65.8265 18.1502 Humacao, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011 quoting El Mundo, July 30, 1943): Dr. Carlos Munoz 

McCormick, director of Civil Defense informed us that they started to 

receive information soon after the first earthquake was felt. From 

Humacao, our correspondent informed us to following, “Of great intensity 

was the earthquake from last night. It generated alarm especially with the 

CHF(3)
133

July 29, 1943

public that were leaving the theater.” 

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Le Nouvelliste,1943): Last night at exactly 10h 5m 30s an earthquake was 

felt in Port-au-Prince. Here are later observations from the Meteorological 

Station of the Petit Seminary College St. Martial: Initial shock was in the 

East direction, following vibrations transverse aligned North to South. The 

earthquake lasted one minute and ten seconds, its intensity 4 to 5. The 

meteorological station of the Seminary thinks the serious shock occurred far 

enough from the East. 

(Bettembourg and others, 1950): [Instrument] iP 03:03:38 GMT, Felt at Portau-Prince, Intensity V-VI stopped clocks * * * July 28, 22:03:38 75th 

Meridian Time, Port-au-Prince, Bainet, St. Marc, Cap Haitien, Intensity V, 

duration 5 seconds, direction E-W. 

CHF(4)

- - SJP, Magnetic Observatory, 

San Juan, Puerto Rico 

(Carl A. Ludy)

(McCann and others, 2011 quoting El Mundo, July 30, 1943): There were 19 

earthquakes registered the night before last. They started at 11:02 PM and 

ended at 7:45 AM. The epicenter was near the Mona Canal and recorded in 

the U.S. The island was shaken 19 times by the earthquakes that were 

registered starting at 11:00 PM the night of Wednesday until 8:00 in the 

morning on Thursday according to information from the Magnetic 

Observatory on the island. Mr. Carl A. Ludy, director of the observatory, 

informed us yesterday that one of the stronger shocks occurred in the early 

morning of Thursday and broke the seismometers in the observatory. 

Director Ludy added that the epicenter of the earthquake evidently was near 

the Mona Canal and it was most likely the earthquakes were recorded by 

seismic stations on the continent. 

-

- - Fordham University, New York 

City, U.S. 

(McCann and others, 2011 quoting El Mundo, July 30, 1943): The news agency 

Prensa Unida, informed us yesterday morning “that this was one of the 

most severe earthquakes ever registered by the seismometer at Fordham 

University in the last few years, occurring about 1,500 miles to the south of 

New York, near the areas of Cuba or the Dominican Republic with the 

possibility that substantial damages have occurred in the West Indies. The 

first shock was registered at 11:07 PM and was followed by many other of 

lesser intensity that evidently occurred near the same location”. 

-

- - Weston, Massachusetts, U.S. (Reading Eagle, 1943): An earthquake, potentially “very destructive” 

believed to be in the vicinity of Puerto Rico, was recorded on the 

seismograph at Weston College last night, the Rev. Daniel Linehan, 

-
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July 29, 1943

seismologist reported today. He said the main shock came at 11:07.25 PM 

eastern war time and was followed by 25 aftershocks in the next six hours. 

All were about 1,655 miles from Boston, in a south by southeast direction.

August 4, 1946

Time: 17:51:12.68 UTC earthquake origin time; 12:52:00 PM Port-au-Prince local time, 75th meridian 

Tsunami: According to Small (1948) a wave four to five meters high inundated communities along the northeastern coast of the Dominican Republic from 

Matancitas to Cabrera. The largest aftershock on August 8, 1946 also generated a tsunami. 

Landslides and other surface effects: According to an eyewitness report from the United Press, 1946c: The sea off northern Santo Domingo boiled like a pot of 

water on the stove and sent up a loud rumbling from the bottom as a result of Sunday’s Caribbean earthquake. Capt. William C. Chishom of the Canadian motor ship 

Cameo said on his arrival here [San Juan, PR] today. The Dominican shore line, along which he was navigating when the quake struck, appeared to sink into the 

sea, sending a dust cloud half a mile in diameter 200 feet into the air. “It looked like a big shell had exploded on the shore,” he said. “I was sitting in my cabin writing 

a letter when the ship suddenly began bucking. It threw me out of the chair. I thought we had run on a reef. I ran to the deck and noticed a cloud of dust, about the 

color of ginger, rising from the shore. It was about half a mile in diameter and rose about 200 feet in the air. The ship was trembling terribly and the sea was boiling 

like a pot of water on the stove. A loud rumbling came from the bottom of the ocean. I still thought we were on a reef and ordered all engines stopped. The boiling 

and rumbling lasted about two minutes and then all was quiet and the sea became calm. Thirty minutes later, at 2:40 PM, the ship began to tremble again but not as 

badly as at first, and the water boiled too. This lasted about 3 minutes and then it was all over.” Location of the ship is not indicated in the article other than 

somewhere on the north shores of the Dominican Republic. There was also a report of a loud “submarine noise like an atomic bomb” heard before feeling the 

earthquake and the arrival of the tsunami at Matanzas, today called Matancitas (Miura, 1946). 

Phenomenon Notes: (-69.000° W, 18.959° N) depth = 51.2 km, Mw= 7.9, Ms=8.0, mb = 7.6 (Engdahl and Villaseñor, 2002). Lynch and Bodle (1948) wrote a 

detailed report on their descriptions of damages, with photographs, suffered in the Dominican Republic during their reconnaissance done in the middle of September 

1946, published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America. They also included an isoseismic intensity map for the Dominican Republic. Many 

seismometers, including those in San Juan, Guantanamo, Port-au-Prince, and New Orleans reported clipping while recording this earthquake. At the Port-au-Prince 

observatory, the iP wave was recorded at 17:51:59 UTC. 

Number of Observations: 45 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-69.8255 19.3546 Matanzas 

(Matancitas)

(Miura, 1946): Persons reaching here from Matanzas said there were many 

casualties. Four persons were reported dead. Broken communications 

delayed a check on casualties and the toll may run much higher. Before the 

earthquake, witnesses said, booming submarine explosions of great intensity 

were heard. They compared them to descriptions of atom bomb explosions. 

Then the quake hit. Buildings collapsed. Railroad tracks were twisted like 

strands of steel wire. Roads were torn up. Villagers passing a sleepy Sunday 

afternoon in the excessive heat jumped up and ran for open country. Next 

came the tidal wave. With a swelling roar it rolled up the bay and smashed 

against the towns. Dwellings and shops were swept away by the waves. 

Slabs of walls and roofs were hurled inland from the shore. (A U.S. Navy 

pilot from Puerto Rico who flew over Matanzas said the tidal wave seemed 

to have destroyed most of the town). After the tidal wave, reports said there 

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135

August 4, 1946

were jagged ruptures in the earth’s surface. Fountains of sulfurous waters 

were said to have spurted from the crevices. 

(Lynch and Bodle, 1948): This town was so much damaged by the sea wave it 

was abandoned. Loss of life, approaching a total of 100, was greater than at 

any other place in the Republic. The intensity of the earthquake was very 

great, but most if not all deaths were from drowning. There were no heavy 

masonry buildings to collapse. Reports indicated that the rise of water 

probably did not exceed 2 1⁄2 m.

-69.8465 19.3759 Julia Molina 

(Nagua)

(Associated Press, 1946a): Nagua and Miches – Partly flooded by the rush of 

water from the sea. 

(Miura, 1946): The towns of Matanzas and Villa Molina at the head of 

Escocesa bay were reported virtually flattened by the tidal wave. 

(Lynch and Bodle, 1948): Though only about three kilometers northwest from 

Matanzas, the village of Julia Molina suffered very little from the sea wave. 

Apparently it was protected by a rather high sandy beach. Most of its 

buildings being of frame construction, most of the damage was from the 

displacement of furniture, the overthrow of water tanks, and the settling of 

buildings. * * * A heavy chest 172 cm. high, 72 cm. deep and 52 cm. wide, 

facing roughly N 70° E, fell in the direction in which it was facing. A china 

closet in the next room fell in the opposite direction, and a lamp with heavy 

base which had been on top of the closet was found sitting upright on the 

floor. A dresser on castors rolled to the center of the room, in a direction 

away from the epicenter region. We visited by automobile to coast to the 

north of Julia Molina to a point near the mouth of the Boba River. For some 

distance here, the river, several hundred yards inland, parallels the beach. In 

some places the sea wave was said to have risen above the high sandy shore 

to join with the river. This would have required a rise of some four or five 

meters. Watchers noted that when the beach was flooded to the north it was 

bare to the south.

LB1948(10)

-70.6937 19.7971 Puerto Plata (United Press, 1946b): The tidal wave hit Puerto Plata, a seaport of 4,500 in 

population on the northern shore of the Dominican Republic, and rolled a 

considerable distance inland. Shattered communication delayed reports on 

the casualties and damage. Five towns on or near the northern Dominican 

shore, including Puerto Plata, suffered severe blows from the earthquake 

LB1948(8)
136

August 4, 1946

which struck at 1:49 p.m. Sunday. Earthquake damage was said to extend 

all the northern edge of Santo Domingo island in both the Dominican 

Republic and Haiti. 

(Lynch and Bodle, 1948): Puerto Plata, where the shock was of intensity IX on 

the basis of questionnaires, * * * We first visited the church of St. Philip, a 

brick structure facing almost northwest. No serious damage was done to the 

building itself, but its movable objects were disturbed. The baptismal font * 

* * was toppled over due east. The font was massive and weighed some 600 

lb. It was 106.5 cm high, and its center of gravity was estimated to be about 

67 cm. from the bottom. The base was 59 cm. in diameter. * * * The statue 

over the main alter was toppled forward to the ground and apparently did 

not first topple backward since there were no scratches on the back. The 

statue was of hollow plaster, top-heavy, about 60 lb in weight, 6 ft tall, base 

15 inches square, and center of gravity about in the middle. * * * Two other 

side statues were toppled from lesser heights in the same general direction. 

The motion to account for this would seem to have been a compression 

coming roughly from the east. In the Dominican bank (Banco de Reservas), 

a heavy safe measuring 6 by 4 by 3 feet, of massive iron, on wheels turned 

parallel with its front to prevent it sliding, was pushed off its pedestal 

toward the front a distance of some three inches. This motion was slightly 

south of east. * * * Warehouse walls facing E-W were found with 45-degree 

cracks, indication motion parallel with the wall. The roof cornice of one 

such building was torn from the base but did not fall. It was significant that, 

of walls running E-W, the wall facing east received the more damage.

-70.7075 19.4502 Santiago de los Caballeros (Associated Press, 1946a): Santiago-Severe damage to a church, orphanage, 

stadium and cigarette factory. One killed.

(Lynch and Bodle, 1948): At the race track, a brick wall surrounding the track, 

about 7 ft. high, was destroyed except for a few feet of its length * * * The 

mortar, good enough in itself, did not grip the bricks at all. Concrete telling 

booths, well constructed, were undamaged. Twelve pillars, about 2 in. in 

diameter, which had just been erected as supports for a projected 

enlargement of the grandstand, were thrown to the ground, ten falling 

slightly south of east and two in the opposite direction. * * * The east 

parapet of a bridge running almost N-S near the race track, 25 m. long by 1 

m. high and 20 cm. thick, was thrown toward the east in a dried-up gully 

SISF(7)

LB1948(8)
137

August 4, 1946

below. The west parapet was not damaged. All the outside buttresses of the 

Basilica Major, which faces west, were shaken loose from the body of the 

church. There was evidence that the joints had previously been patched. All 

the circular arches in the side aisles running the length of the church were 

broken in the middle. Two statues on the epistle side of the church, near the 

middle, were thrown to the north, * * * A painted wooden statue of the 

Sacred Heart was thrown from the main alter to the floor, but it was not 

broken. * * * The evidence from Santiago seems to point to strong motion 

from the east, but also strong N-S motion.

-70.5327 19.2239 La Vega (Lynch and Bodle, 1948): From Santiago we headed for Moca. On the way we 

passed Vega Real, or Conception de La Vega, a city founded earlier than 

Ciudad Trujillo and destroyed by an earthquake on December 2, 1562. It is 

amazing how well preserved the brick walls of the old town are. One of the 

cross-bow emplacements is shown in figure 9. Ancient brick cross-bow 

emplacement undamaged by earthquakes of 1946 at Vega Real, a town that 

was destroyed by an earthquake of December 2, 1562. 

SISF(7)

-70.5468 19.2797 Santo Cerro (Lynch and Bodle, 1948): From Vega Real we went to Santo Cerro, or the 

Holy Hill, * * * Some minor damage was done to the Jesuit church. 

-

-70.5246 19.3929 Moca (Associated Press, 1946a): Moca – Municipal palace and market place 

destroyed. 

(United Press, 1946b): The five Dominican towns known to be hard hit were 

Puerto Plata, Santiago, Moca, Macoris and San Francisco. * * * In Moca, 

the city hall and church collapsed in ruins. Many stores and homes were 

destroyed. Earth shocks continued for two hours after the initial tremor. 

(Lynch and Bodle, 1948): A brick wall encircling the rear of the city hall at 

Moca was thrown down toward the north. Some 45 degree cracks in the rear 

wall of the building indicated an E-W motion parallel with the wall. A tank 

in a near-by yard (fig. 10) was toppled down, but there was disagreement 

whether it now lay where it had fallen; * * * A very interesting piece of 

evidence, however, was found in the Church of the Rosary. The tower was 

thrown down through the roof and landed on the choir railing (fig 11). The 

tower was thrown toward the north-east, the church itself facing west. Two 

statues on the south side of the church fell toward the north. 

LB1948(9)

-70.2593 19.2969 San Francisco de Macoris (Miura, 1946): Material damage from the earth tremors was reported very SISF(7.5)
138

August 4, 1946

great in San Francisco de Macoris and other cities a few miles inland. 

(Lynch and Bodle, 1948): It was evident as we drove into the town that it had 

suffered much more damage than its immediate neighbors. The reason 

became clear as we walked down to the near-by encircling stream. The bed 

of the shallow stream was of solid rock, and the town was built on a silt 

plateau perhaps one hundred feet higher. One death occurred here from the 

collapse of a house. Many buildings were severely damaged, including a 

large church which was being torn down when we arrived. Its roof had 

fallen in and the side walls were badly cracked. The circular portion and 

dome over the altar, however, were fairly intact. * * * A short distance away 

were ruins of a frame house with a front part of brick. The brick part was so 

severely damaged that it had to be torn down. This left the staircase and 

living room exposed to the street.

LB1948(10)

-70.0295 19.2089 Castilla (Lynch and Bodle, 1948): Brick walls around yards of residences were 

toppled; one running in an E-W direction fell to both north and south, and 

one running N-S fell to east and west. Another N-S wall some 15 to 20 feet 

long by 10 inches thick fell to the west. Damage was also caused at a 

cemetery near the edge of the town. A wall some 3 feet high and about 19 

m. in length along its north side was almost entirely thrown down. Some 

parts fell north, others south. Just inside the north gate, damage was done to 

a brick burial vault. The corner in triangular section on the sides, with apex 

just below the roof, fell away. At the south gate a heavy cross fell 

approximately N 60° W.

-

-69.3390 19.2061 Samana (Lynch and Bodle, 1948): No damaging effects of sea waves were seen by us 

here or at any other point on Samana Bay though some abnormal ebb-andflow effects were noted. Buildings near the beach were damaged little short 

of severely. As the party moved back to higher ground, less severe effects 

were seen. Inspection of a recently completed hospital of concrete showed 

no damage of consequence, probably because its construction was good and 

its site more satisfactory. A brick wall around the hospital grounds was 

damaged by cracks, indicating that there had been considerable motion.

SISF(7.5)

LB1948(9)

-69.3847 19.0648 Sabana de la Mar (Lynch and Bodle, 1948): Sabana de la Mar on the south shore of Samana Bay 

was not badly damaged. The front parapet on a school building fell into the 

street, but it was said this was the only building seriously damaged. No seawave effects were observed on August 4. On August 8 a mild recession was 

-
139

August 4, 1946

noted, but no high water of consequence was observed.

-69.6131 19.2279 Sanchez (Lynch and Bodle, 1948): At Sanchez the damage of most interest occurred at 

the pier. The railroad tracks were warped where the pier made contact with 

the shore. (see fig. 14) At the offshore end, four large concrete columns 

were either broken or tilted. They were made of concrete poured into 

tubular steel forms rising some 15 feet above the pier deck. Two were at the 

offshore corners of the pier, and the other two at some distance out in the 

water, * * * Both columns at the end of the pier were broken off a short 

distance above deck level, where the size of the tubular steel forms had been 

reduced by some 4 to 5 inches in radius. (see fig. 15) Both of these columns 

fell in an easterly direction. Although the outer pair did not break, they were 

left tilting toward the south.

LB1948(9)

-69.8605 19.1876 Arenoso (Lynch and Bodle, 1948): At Arenoso, several houses perched at the edge of 

the river bank had been damaged by the slumping effects. 

-

-69.9112 19.1823 Villa Rivas (Lynch and Bodle, 1948): * * * the local church had been destroyed on August 

4. Perhaps the direction in which the steeple fell was controlled to an 

appreciable degree by the orientation of the structure. The long dimension 

was nearly coincident with the direction of the epicenter. The front of the 

church faced approximately S 55° W. The local pastor * * * reported that 

the steeple rocked to and fro some three times before falling into the body 

of the church. As it fell, the north and south walls of brick were forced 

outward. People who were passing reported that the steeple swayed out over 

the street before going down. The spire was some 53 ft. above ground. Side 

walls of the main building were 22 ft. high. It was interesting to note that 

some of the rear wall fell into the interior of the church but that most of it 

remained standing. A few hundred yards away a heavy store safe fell 

approximately N 65° W.

-

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (United Press, 1946a): The shocks were felt in Port au Prince, Haiti at the 

western end of Santo Domingo. 

(Bettembourg and others, 1950): August 4, iP – 17:51:59 GMT, Felt all over 

the island, Intensity VII – VIII. Undulatory motion, duration more than a 

minute. 

(Bettembourg, 1950): Hour: 12 h 52 m 05 s (75th meridian time) Twelve 

seconds after it started, the instrument of the Observatory of the Seminary 

-
140

August 4, 1946

St-Martial, stopped recording, disrupted by the violence of the stroke. It was 

a very slow movement, which proves that Port-au-Prince was not directly 

on the epicenter, we only felt the longitudinal waves that lasted over a 

minute. The intensity can be regarded as VI to VII. An intensity of VIII for 

Port-au-Prince would be too strong. The clocks with pendulums that move 

E-W were stopped. We also observed the lamp swinging in the same 

direction that seems to suggest that the direction was from NE-SW.

-72.0107 19.1453 Hinche (Bettembourg, 1950): Duration about 4 minutes. The walls of the barracks of 

Hinche, Maissade, Los Palis, Thomonde, Madame Joie and Thomassique 

were slightly cracked. 

-

-72.3459 19.5091 Marmelade (Bettembourg, 1950): 14 houses damaged, an oven collapsed and the walls of 

the barracks were cracked. 

-

-72.6978 19.1081 St. Marc (Bettembourg, 1950): The wall of the fencing of the house of Mr. Philoxème 

Mortel and 2 sighs of the house of Basia Moril were thrown down. 

Throughout the afternoon, small tremors were felt thorough the department 

[of l’Artibonite]. 

-

-72.1695 19.5772 Grand Riviere du Nord (Bettembourg, 1950): Two houses collapsed, one other partially, sections of 

walls of sixteen houses damaged including the General Quarters of the 

District and the bell tower of the parochial church collapsed in part, two 

houses strongly damaged.

-

-72.2403 19.5257 Dondon (Bettembourg, 1950): Sections of walls of many houses cracked and many 

others have become uninhabitable.

-

-71.7223 19.5501 Ouanaminthe (Bettembourg, 1950): Two thirds of the columns of the parochial church were 

shaken, 15 houses destroyed, 50 houses gravely damaged, many sections of 

wall in the general district quarter cracked, the gallery of the Customs 

outpost cracked at the base.

-

-71.8397 19.6668 Fort Liberte (Bettembourg, 1950): A few shacks destroyed. -

-72.4685 19.5974 Plaisance (Bettembourg, 1950): Cracks in the walls of the church. -

-72.4025 19.6688 Limbe (Bettembourg, 1950): Four houses including the telegraph post-office and the 

rectory damaged. 

-

-71.9207 19.4350 Vallieres (Bettembourg, 1950): Walls of the barracks cracked, housing quarters of the 

sub-district seriously damaged. Walls of the church and the boy’s school 

shaken, 2 cottages damaged. 

-

-72.0223 19.6186 Trou du Nord (Bettembourg, 1950): A few shacks collapsed. -
141

August 4, 1946

-69.8877 18.4722 Ciudad Trujillo 

(Santo Domingo)

(Associated Press, 1946a): This capital was only slightly damaged * * * The 

Ciudad Trujillo docks suffered slight cracks and some ancient churches also 

were damaged. 

(Lynch & Bodle, 1948): * * * little damage was done except to some old 

buildings including some minor damage to the cathedral in which the 

remains of Columbus rest. [Description of damage to a bridge near Santo 

Domingo.] The bridge was built by the United States Steel Export Company 

of New York. The picture (fig. 1), taken about 9:30 A.M., shows the bridge 

running roughly N-S. The factory to the right, with the tall chimneys, is a 

newly completed cement factory, and suffered no damage. The bridge had 

been subjected to a distinct E-W motion and suffered a lateral displacement 

at each end toward the east. [Describing the series of photographs in the article.] 

The north ends moved a good inch more than the south ends. There was 

evidence of a to-and-fro motion with a resulting permanent displacement 

toward the east. This displacement amounted to 2 5/8 inches at the north 

end and 1 1⁄4 inches at the south end.

LB1948(6)

-70.7291 18.4534 Azua (Lynch and Bodle, 1948): Intensity V based on isoseismic map in Lynch and Bodle, 

1948.

LB1948(5)

-71.0925 18.2051 Barahona (Lynch and Bodle, 1948): Intensity IV based on isoseismic map in Lynch and Bodle, 

1948. 

LB1948(4)

-71.6507 19.8474 Monte Cristi (Lynch and Bodle, 1948): Intensity V based on isoseismic map in Lynch and Bodle, 

1948.

LB1948(5)

-69.3112 18.4526 San Pedro de Macoris (Lynch and Bodle, 1948): Intensity VI based on isoseismic map in Lynch and Bodle, 

1948.

LB1948(6)

-69.0364 18.7648 Seibo (O’Loughlin and Lander, 2003): Much damage from the earthquake was also 

reported at Cabrera, San Francisco de Macoris, and Castilla, all Intensity ≅

X; Puerto Plata, Moca and Cabo Cabron, all Intensity ≅ IX; El Seibo, 

Santiago, Ciudad Trujillo, San Pedro de Macoris, La Romana and many 

other places.

-

-69.2602 19.3204 Cabo Cabron (O’Loughlin and Lander, 2003): Much damage from the earthquake was also 

reported at Cabrera, San Francisco de Macoris, and Castilla, all Intensity ≅

X; Puerto Plata, Moca and Cabo Cabron, all Intensity ≅ IX; El Seibo, 

Santiago, Ciudad Trujillo, San Pedro de Macoris, La Romana and many 

other places.

-

-68.9663 18.4238 La Romana (O’Loughlin and Lander, 2003): Much damage from the earthquake was also -
142

August 4, 1946

reported at Cabrera, San Francisco de Macoris, and Castilla, all Intensity ≅

X; Puerto Plata, Moca and Cabo Cabron, all Intensity ≅ IX; El Seibo, 

Santiago, Ciudad Trujillo, San Pedro de Macoris, La Romana and many 

other places.

-66.6141 18.0115 Ponce, Puerto Rico (United Press, 1946a): Barrels of rum were shaken from their racks in Ponce, 

on the southern Puerto Rican shore. They bounced into the streets and burst. 

(Campbell, 1972 quoting El Mundo, date not specified): It was reported from 

Ponce Beach that 1,100 casks of alcohol, each containing 48 gallons, were 

overturned. Twelve casks were broken and spilled alcohol into Bonaire Ave. 

Also it was stated that two high voltage lines were broken and the fire 

department was called. The whole city was in great state of fear and 

confusion for over an hour. There was no serious damage however. 

-

-66.2989 17.9774 Salinas, Puerto Rico (Campbell, 1972 quoting El Mundo, date not specified): From Salinas the 

earthquake was reported as strong: dishes rattled, suspended lamps moved 

to and fro, small objects were displaced, etc. but there was no loss of life or 

serious property damage. 

-

-67.1407 18.2009 Mayaguez, Puerto Rico (Spartanburg Herald, 1946): Spanish passengers excitedly chattering in broken 

English said they “saw people knocked down by the force of the quake”.

They came by carrier plane from Mayaguez on the west side of the island. 

(Campbell, 1972 quoting El Mundo, date not specified): From Mayaguez reports 

came that the earthquake was felt very strongly but no lives were lost and 

only minor property damage [...] Parked automobiles resembled boats on 

the water as they moved to and fro.

-

-66.1057 18.4665 San Juan, Puerto Rico (United Press, 1946a): In San Juan, Puerto Rico, 325 miles southeast of 

Puerto Plata, the earth shocks interrupted telephone and electric service for 

a short time, stopped clocks and swayed chandeliers. There was no report of 

damage or casualties. 

(Campbell, 1972 quoting El Mundo, date not specified): At San Juan, small 

objects moved about, doors opened and closed, lamps were swinging. 

However, no lives were lost nor was there extensive property damage. 

-

-67.1540 18.4275 Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (Campbell, 1972 quoting El Mundo, date not specified): Aguadilla reported the 

shock lasted two minutes but no serious damage resulted. 

-
143

August 4, 1946

-67.1414 18.2885 Añasco, Puerto Rico (Campbell, 1972 quoting El Mundo, date not specified): At Añasco, the school 

was slightly damaged and classes were suspended.

-

-66.9911 18.3383 San Sebastian, Puerto Rico (Campbell, 1972 quoting El Mundo, date not specified): At San Sebastian, the 

Catholic church was badly damaged and clocks stopped at 13:56. Churches 

were not in session.

-

-66.9799 18.1808 Maricao, Puerto Rico (Campbell, 1972): IV at Comerio Plants, Maricao, and Mona Island. -

-67.8923 18.0860 Mona Island, Puerto Rico (Campbell, 1972): IV at Comerio Plants, Maricao, and Mona Island. -

-75.2162 20.1419 Guantanamo, Cuba (Associated Press, 1946a): The naval station at Guantanamo Bay reported no 

damage in Cuba. The other naval reports did not mention damage. 

(Associated Press, 1946b): Slight tremors were felt in Cuba. 

-

-64.9309 18.3420 Charlotte Amalie,

St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

(Associated Press, 1946b): The Virgin Islands had only a mild shock and no 

damage reported. 

(Daily News, 1946): The earthquake which racked the Virgin Islands on 

Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock is described as being more severe than the 

one which leveled San Francisco in 1906. Although only the tail-end of it 

was felt here the full force is reported to have done terrific damage to 

northern towns of Santo Domingo.

-

October 28, 1952

Time: 04:25:56.4 UTC earthquake origin time; Oct. 27, 1952, at 23:29:51 local time, 75th meridian Port-au-Prince

Phenomenon Notes: (-73.520° W, 18.510° N) depth = 24 km, Ms=5.9 (Sykes and Ewing, 1965). The observatory at Seminare-College St-Martial conducted a 

geologic reconnaissance of this earthquake in the Asile valley south of Anse-a-Veau. The Haitian government invited the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey 

(USCGS) Chief Seismologist Frank Neumann to provide his professional opinion and assessment of earthquake risk in Haiti. The Port-au-Prince bulletin for 1952 

generated and published a report that included a geology map of the region most affected by this earthquake and an intensity map where some of the lower 

intensities are included in this list. The seismometer at the observatory recorded the P wave arrival at 23:30:16 local time, 04:30:16 UTC (Bettembourg and others, 

1955).

Number of Observations: 29 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-73.3447 18.5028 Anse-a-Veau (Bettembourg and others, 1955): Two tremors at a low interval, accompanied 

by a low rumble coming from the South-East. Movement vertical and 

swaying from two perpendicular directions North-South, East-West. 

Damages in the church: cracks on the facade and various locations inside, 

one display, placed above the altar and supported by marble columns a 

meter high, lies crushed at the foot of the altar. It fell in the NW direction. * 

CHF(8.5)
144

October 28, 1952

* * Damages in Basse Ville: Wooden houses partially destroyed 80%; 

entirely destroyed 20%. Masonry Houses partially destroyed 2 of 2. Basse 

Ville is mostly an alluvial zone. Damages in Haute Ville: Wooden houses 

partially destroyed 90%; entirely destroyed one, or 2%. Masonry houses 

cracked 50%; partially destroyed 33%, or a total percentage of 83 %. One 

note: the new classes of wooden houses, built recently have kept perfectly. 

Among the houses of masonry that resisted perfectly are two low buildings, 

the hospital and tax office. A further note: the vulnerability of buildings of 

stone, brick and unreinforced concrete. Intensity IX weak. 

-73.5079 18.5264 Petit Trou de Nippes (Bettembourg and others, 1955): Three tremors felt by everyone; the second 

was the strongest, a rumble was heard. Movement vertical and vibrations. 

Damages: not completely destroyed; some houses more seriously damaged, 

all the houses cracked. Intensity VII strong. 

CHF(7)

- - Chapelle Sainte Croix (Bettembourg and others, 1955): (Reynolds Mining Corp.) On the plateau of 

Rochelois. Tremor strongly felt by everyone. Indicated direction, West. No 

damages. Etang Rey, on the southern slopes of the plateau - Vertical tremor 

felt by everyone accompanied by a rumble. Roof of the chapel collapsed, 

the method of construction perhaps has something to do with it. Intensity 

VII. 

CHF(7)

- - Chapelle Saint Yves (Bettembourg and others, 1955): (Sault du Baril) Tremor vertical up and 

down, with a rumbling similar to that of an airplane in the air, after which 

the inhabitants related “tete Sault cassee”. A note: the columns of brick 

from the rectory under construction indicate a rotational movement in the 

clockwise direction. Intensity VIII weak. 

CHF(7.5)

-73.3758 18.4657 Brossard (Bettembourg and others, 1955): (Report from District Commander) Tremor 

vertical, up and down, prolonged, accompanied by a rumbling. The radio 

unit has undergone a rotation in the clockwise direction. House heavily 

damaged, dirty water in the river, crack in the road. Direction North-South. 

Intensity VIII. 

CHF(7.5)

-73.4330 18.3786 Asile (Bettembourg and others, 1955): A tremor felt by everyone. Rapid swaying, 

direction probably East-West. The church bell rang. Damages: Wooden 

houses partially destroyed about 15; entirely destroyed 0. Masonry houses: 

partially destroyed 2; entirely destroyed 0. A note: one house with a cement 

frame held perfectly. Intensity VII. 

CHF(7)

- - Morne Sault (Bettembourg and others, 1955): (South (?) of Petit Trou de Nippes) Tremor CHF(7)
145

October 28, 1952

vertical, up and down, felt by everyone. Cracks in the soil, landslides. 

Damages reported by various chapels. Intensity VIII. 

-72.6334 18.5111 Leogane (Bettembourg and others, 1955): Tremor felt by almost everyone. Rapid 

swinging East – West. Cracking noises from houses, no damages. Intensity 

V. 

CHF(4)

-72.7709 18.4256 Grand Goave (Bettembourg and others, 1955): Tremor felt by all the inhabitants. Rapid 

swinging East – West. Church clock stopped. Minor damages, however it 

was noted: the collapse of a wall of the chapel of Saint Antoine. Intensity: 

VI strong. 

CHF(5)

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit Goave (Bettembourg and others, 1955): Tremor felt by all the inhabitants. A low 

rumble was heard. Vibrations North-South and swaying. Stopped the clock. 

Insignificant damages. Intensity VI strong. 

CHF(5)

-73.0861 18.4423 Miragoave (Bettembourg and others, 1955): Two tremors at a low interval. Rapid 

swinging North–South. Cracking noises in houses, several small cracks. 

Intensity VI. 

CHF(6)

-73.2446 18.4770 Petite Riviere de Nippes (Bettembourg and others, 1955): Two tremors felt by all the inhabitants, 

accompanied by a continuous low rumble. Motion vertical. Damages: The 

zone lying east of the church, damaged and the zone west intact. The east 

zone is particularly alluvial and swampy. Wooden houses: partially 

destroyed 40%; 8 out of 400 completely destroyed. Masonry houses: 

cracked 80%; fully destroyed 0. Intensity VII strong. 

CHF(7)

-73.6387 18.4829 Baraderes (Bettembourg and others, 1955): One tremor felt by everyone. Direction 

North-South. Swinging in all directions. No damages. Intensity V weak.

CHF(4.5)

-74.1145 18.6446 Jeremie (Bettembourg and others, 1955): Two tremors at three second intervals; the 

second was very strong. Slow swinging. Direction East-West. No damages. 

Intensity IV. 

CHF(4)

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Bettembourg and others, 1955): At the seismograph the primary waves are 

clearly marked at 23h. 30m. 16s. The initial displacement of the needles on 

the E-W component is towards the North; the needles on the N-S 

component are towards the South, the earthquake came from the West. The 

oscillations quickly amplified and 20 seconds after the first traces were 

registered, the moving needles stopped recording and at the same time the 

clock stopped. From the report by a reader of the “Match” at this late hour, 

the movement was somehow announced by the howls of his dog and of all 

CHF(4)
146

October 28, 1952

those in the neighborhood. He felt a sudden jolt, followed by a horizontal 

rocking from West to East, with a duration of twelve seconds. It all ended 

with a vertical jolt, by another source of information, they awakened by the 

first shock, confirmed. 

-73.3971 18.2816 Aquin (Bettembourg and others, 1955): From earthquake intensity map in report: V. CHF(5)

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Bettembourg and others, 1955): From earthquake intensity map in report: IV. CHF(4)

-73.8890 18.5671 Corail (Bettembourg and others, 1955): From earthquake intensity map in report: IV. CHF(4)

-74.3959 18.3242 Tiburon (Bettembourg and others, 1955): From earthquake intensity map in report: III. CHF(3)

-74.4222 18.5605 Dame-Marie (Bettembourg and others, 1955): From earthquake intensity map in report: III. CHF(3)

-72.0683 18.2370 Saltrou (Bettembourg and others, 1955): From earthquake intensity map in report: III. CHF(3)

-72.5126 18.7701 Arcahaie (Bettembourg and others, 1955): From earthquake intensity map in report: III. CHF(3)

-72.1040 18.8336 Mirebalais (Bettembourg and others, 1955): From earthquake intensity map in report: III. CHF(3)

-72.8673 18.8365 Anse-a-Galets (Bettembourg and others, 1955): From earthquake intensity map in report: IV. CHF(4)

-72.6978 19.1081 St. Marc (Bettembourg and others, 1955): From earthquake intensity map in report: III. CHF(3)

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives (Bettembourg and others, 1955): From earthquake intensity map in report: III. CHF(3)

- - Ciudad Trujillo 

(Santo Domingo)

(Bettembourg and others, 1955): From the information by courtesy of Dr. 

Franco y Franco, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic, to whom we are 

pleased to express our gratitude, the devices in Ciudad Trujillo recorded for 

one hour. The distance is estimated to be 445 km. Arrival time of the 

phases: (Local Time 75th Mer.) P: 23h 30m 54s, S: 23h 31m 36s; 

(Greenwich Time on Oct. 28) P: 04h 30m 54s, S: 04h 21m 36s.

-

- - BCIS (Bettembourg and others, 1955): The Bulletin of the Bureau Central 

International de Seismologie de Strasbourg (B.C.I.S.) the hour of the 

earthquake source is fixed for October 28, 1952, H = 04h 29m 52s, 

Geographic Coordinates 18.3 deg N and 73.3 deg W.

-

- - USCGS (Bettembourg and others, 1955): The United States Coast and Geodetic Survey 

(U.S.C.G.S.) gives H = 04h 29m 51s at 18 deg 30 min N and 73 deg 30 min 

W.

-

January 25, 1953

Time: 19:47:57.4 UTC earthquake origin time; 02:50:00 PM Anse-a-Veau local time 75th meridian 

Phenomenon Notes: (-73.420° W, 18.470° N) depth = 0 km, Ms=5.7 (Sykes and Ewing, 1965). Aftershock of October 28, 1952. The seismometer at the Port-auPrince observatory recored the iP wave at 19:48:14 UTC (Bettembourg, Scneider and Schumacher, 1956). 

Number of Observations: 5 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity
147

January 25, 1953

-73.3447 18.5028 Anse-a-Veau (Le Nouvelliste,1953a): The tremor registered yesterday about three o'clock in 

the afternoon at Port-au-Prince was also felt in other parts of the territory of 

the Republic in particular Petit-Riviere de Nippes, Anse-a-Veau and towns 

in the south point of the country. The courageous people of Anse-a-Veau 

were again hit hardest yesterday. Two houses in the lower town collapsed 

causing the deaths of two villagers * * * Several other houses were also 

damaged. Water pipes broke in town that had been particularly hit by the 

earthquake yesterday afternoon. The first witnesses met this morning at the 

capitol to inform this last earthquake of high intensity was felt. At 2H 50M 

in Anse-a-Veau, and it lasted about five seconds. 

(Bettembourg and others, 1956): Following the earthquake of October 27, 

1952, small tremors were frequently felt by the residents of Anse-a-Veau, 

until the end of March 1953. The earthquake of January 25, 1953, was very 

strong in Port-a-Prince and in many localities in the Republic, seems to have 

been preceded by a night of January 24 to 25. Later information provided by 

the General Headquarters of the Army of Haiti, the intensity seems to have 

been the strongest on the side of Sault du Baril.

CHF(5)

SISF(7)

-73.2446 18.4770 Petite Riviere de Nippes (Le Nouvelliste,1953a): The tremor registered yesterday about three o'clock in 

the afternoon at Port-au-Prince was also felt in other parts of the territory of 

the Republic in particular Petit-Riviere de Nippes, Anse-a-Veau and towns 

in the south point of the country.

CHF(4)

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Bettembourg and others, 1956): Felt in Port-au-Prince, stopped the clock, Pi: 

19H 48M 14S GMT. 

CHF(3)

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes (Bettembourg and others, 1956): Felt. CHF(3)

-72.7558 18.1819 Bainet (Bettembourg and others, 1956): Felt. CHF(3)

February 26, 1953

Time: 16:09:24.7 UTC earthquake origin time; 10:11:00 AM local time 75th meridian 

Phenomenon Notes: (-73.310° W, 18.500° N) depth=0, Ms=4.9 (Sykes and Ewing, 1965). Aftershock attributed to the October 28, 1952, earthquake. The 

seismometer at the Port-au-Prince observatory was down for repairs and did not record this earthquake. (Bettembourg and others, 1956).

Number of Observations: 2 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-73.3447 18.5028 Anse-a-Veau (Le Nouvelliste,1953b): A strong tremor was felt yesterday in Anse-a-Veau 

about two o'clock in the afternoon. This earthquake caused damages with 

the collapse of the columns of the parish church. A few of our remaining 

CHF(5)
148

February 26, 1953

buildings in the city were also damaged. 

(Bettembourg and others, 1956): Intensity III – IV.

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Bettembourg and others, 1956): Felt in Port-au-Prince. On February 26, new 

tremor around 10H 11M. The instrument, because of repairs, was not 

functioning on that day. Felt in Port-au-Prince with an intensity III, it seems 

to have been stronger at Anse-a-Veau. Since then the balance seems to have 

been restored because, it no longer reports or rarely very small tremors.

CHF(3)
149

Other Significant Earthquakes of the Caribbean: 

Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands 

Intensity, Mercalli Magnitude Intensities (3-10); CHF, assigned by C. H. Flores (author); WHB, assigned by W. H. Bakun (co-author); SISF, assigned by 

SisFrance/Antilles (2010); R1964, assigned by Robson (1964); - no intensity assigned. 

July 11, 1785

Time: 3:00 AM, Tortola local time

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 7

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-64.6223 18.4290 Tortola, British Virgin Islands (McCann and others, 2011, quoting The Times of London, Sept. 8, 1785): By Capt. 

Black of the Mary, from Tortola, we are informed that between two and 

three o'clock in the morning of Monday, the 11th of July, there was a violent 

and tremendous shock of an earthquake in Tortola, which continued near 

half a minute. It was felt with more or less violence in all adjacent islands 

but with little damage* * *The subterraneous noise was like rolling a great 

number of casks in a large loft. The report ashore was it lasted above a 

minute, several fractures of rocks were precipitated from the mountains, 

and several houses damaged, but at Spanish-Town the report was, that a 

large part of the island severed, and several large fractures of rocks whirled 

to a considerable distance. There was an uncommon agitation of the sea 

caused by it, but a strong smell of sulfur in some places immediately 

followed. 

(Mallet and Mallet, 1858): In Tortola the earthquake made great clefts in the 

rocks, and separated completely a part of the island, forming a new island. 

(Perrey, 1847): at Tortola and by ships out at sea. 

(Shaler, 1869): The island of Tortola, which was swept over during this 

convulsion by an earthquake wave, was rent asunder by the earthquake of 

1785, a new island being formed. Our accounts of this remarkable event are 

not sufficiently detailed to enable us to form an idea of the precise character 

of the movement which brought the separation about. 

CHF(5)

WHB 

SISF(6)

R1964(8)

-64.4341 18.4496 Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda (McCann and others, 2011, quoting The Times of London, Sept. 8, 1785): * * * 

but at Spanish-Town the report was, that a large part of the island severed, 

and several large fractures of rocks whirled to a considerable distance. 

CHF(6.5)
150

July 11, 1785

There was an uncommon agitation of the sea caused by it, but a strong 

smell of sulfur in some places immediately followed. 

-62.7494 17.3174 St. Christopher 

(St. Kitts)

(McCann and others, 2011, quoting The Times of London, Sept. 15, 1785): It was 

felt experienced by all the neighboring islands much about the same time, 

and several vessels a number of leagues out at sea felt it, especially a small 

one at St. Kitt's, which by the commotion it made in the water, lost her 

rudder, split her pump and fore-top, and was so shook that the captain was 

afraid she would have gone in pieces. 

(Cotte, 1807): Earthquake at St. Christopher in the Americas, July 11, 1785. 

(Perrey, 1847): It was felt in St. Christopher. 

CHF(4)

-62.9765 17.4890 St. Eustatius (McCann and others, 2011, quoting The Times of London, Sept. 15, 1785): Extract 

of a letter from St. Eustatia, dated July 22nd, 1785: On Monday morning, 

the 11th instant, about half after two o'clock, we were much alarmed here 

by a violent shock of an earthquake which lasted upwards of a minute. As I 

in general sleep very sound, I believe I should not have felt it, had I not 

been waked by shrieks of the ladies of the house * * * The bed shook almost 

like the rocking of a cradle and the house rattled * * *It however went off 

without doing any damage. They say here they have not felt so severe a 

shock these 40 years. 

CHF(4)

-61.8456 17.1176 St. John, Antigua (McCann and others, 2011, quoting The Times of London, Sept. 8, 1785): St. 

Johns letter dated July 12, “About three o'clock yesterday morning we had 

the most violent shock of an earthquake that has been know in the memory 

of the oldest inhabitant here. * * * I was awoken suddenly by an unusual 

noise * * * Three or four minutes; after * * * poor hound in the yard began 

to howl, and the poultry to make a noise * * * in an instant the whole house 

was in a gentle trembling, which continued about half a minute. Before I 

could get out of bed for a candle * * * another dreadful shock succeeded.

The house was rocked like a cradle for nearly three minutes. The windows, 

and some glasses were in a perfect clatter, and a dismal noise accompanied 

the earthquake. It has done no material damage on this island, except 

injuring some old houses * * * The shock it seems was felt severely at sea, 

many leagues from the land”. 

(Perrey, 1847): At Antigua, disastrous shaking. 

CHF(5)
151

July 11, 1785

(Gentleman’s Magazine, 1785): On the 11th of July, about three in the 

morning, a dreadful earthquake shook the Island of Antigua to its 

foundation. It threw the inhabitants into the utmost consternation but no 

material damage ensued. 

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien, Hispaniola (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): We had three in 1785 * * * the third and 

strongest on July 10 in the night. 

CHF(3)

-72.0223 19.6186 Trou-du-Nord, Hispaniola (Moreau de St. Méry, 1798): It was felt fifteen earthquakes in these four years, 

two of which were sensibly felt, June 18, 1784 and July 11, 1785. They 

undulated from West to East and their motion vibratory. 

CHF(3)

May 2, 1787

Time: A little before noon, San Juan, Puerto Rico local time

Phenomenon Notes: Aftershocks were felt. No reports of this earthquake as being felt or noted was found for the other islands. McCann and others (2011) contains 

more details of the letters than are cited here. 

Number of Observations: 11 

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-66.1057 18.4665 San Juan, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011, quoting letter written by J. Dabian on May 23, 1787, 

Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo #2307): I give to you excellent 

correspondence the account of what has been experienced on this island 

during my governance a recent earthquake on the second of this month 

[May] a little before noon, followed by other minor ones that have not 

stopped, accompanied by the injuries suffered by the mentioned activities on 

the works of the fortification of this capital, buildings both military and civil 

of the same cost and occupied by the Real Hacienda * * * but observed by 

myself the need to demolish the small fort built in the middle the Bridge of 

San Antonio, immediately since it is so close to ruin and will surely fall * * 

* and to repair without delay the Fort of San Geronimo adjoining the 

aforementioned bridge, the surrender houses, prisoner quarters, the 

hospital, storage and guard houses, * * * and like the warehouse, in the 

fortress of Conception it is damaged and collapsed completely, its 

demolition is absolutely necessary after its evacuation. The houses in this 

city have been more or less been damaged by the impulse of the 

aforementioned first earthquake, including the convents of the Dominicans 

and the Franciscans but without causing loss of life or ruin. 

(McCann and others, 2011, quoting letters written by J.F. Mestre May 9, 1787, 

CHF(7)
152

May 2, 1787

Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo #2307): In the drape of the semifortress of the Gate of Santiago, the barricade mostly has cracks with a few 

of its terraces sunk * * * The Port of San Cristobal, the cavalry quarters 

have damages along the low walls and half sunk along the terraces * * *

The hospital of Caridad that at present serves the sick from the Guarnicion 

Plaza, had been damaged with three considerable cracks on the wall that 

runs with the church, along the part where it connects with the stairs, the 

arches have settled that formed part of the first floor * * * In considering 

the old age of the roof of the Cathedral, and the various works done for its 

maintenance and prevent the danger its ruin, and with attention to how it 

was assembled, it experienced the earthquakes that has befallen us and 

ultimately the three arches that form the alcove to the left a small crack 

near the corner formed, it has been noted

-66.7321 18.4636 Arecibo, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011, quoting letter written by J. Dabian on May 23, 1787, 

Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo #2307): In the rest of the island, 

having experienced [the earthquake] all over equally strong, it has been 

less damaging owing to their construction in wood except for the following 

churches that were made of masonry; counting among them the ones from 

Arecibo, and with distinct cracks those of Mayaguez, Bayamon, and ToaAlta. Much needs to be done to rebuild the first and repair the rest in the 

best possible manner. 

(McCann and others, 2011, quoting letters written and received by Matos, 1787, 

Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo #2525): * * * that of Arecibo is 

completely useless, which it wasn’t, is now collecting stone and materials 

and I have given orders of what needs to be done until I return and that it is 

necessary to re-edify it. Decent church and sufficient before this 

destruction. 

CHF(7)

-67.1407 18.2009 Mayaguez, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011, quoting letter written by J. Dabian on May 23, 1787, 

Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo #2307): In the rest of the island, 

having experienced [the earthquake] all over equally strong, it has been less 

damaging owing to their construction in wood except for the following 

churches that were made of masonry; counting among them the ones from 

Arecibo, and with distinct cracks those of Mayaguez, Bayamon, and ToaAlta. Much needs to be done to rebuild the first and repair the rest in the 

best possible manner. 

CHF(6)

-66.1616 18.3809 Bayamon, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011, quoting letter written by J. Dabian on May 23, 1787, CHF(6)
153

May 2, 1787

Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo #2307): In the rest of the island, 

having experienced [the earthquake] all over equally strong, it has been less 

damaging owing to their construction in wood except for the following 

churches that were made of masonry; counting among them the ones from 

Arecibo, and with distinct cracks those of Mayaguez, Bayamon, and ToaAlta. Much needs to be done to rebuild the first and repair the rest in the 

best possible manner. 

-66.2550 18.4425 Toa Alta, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011, quoting letter written by J. Dabian on May 23, 1787, 

Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo #2307): In the rest of the island, 

having experienced [the earthquake] all over equally strong, it has been less 

damaging owing to their construction in wood except for the following 

churches that were made of masonry; counting among them the ones from 

Arecibo, and with distinct cracks those of Mayaguez, Bayamon, and ToaAlta. Much needs to be done to rebuild the first and repair the rest in the 

best possible manner. 

CHF(6)

-67.0381 18.0808 San German, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011, quoting letters written and received by Matos, 1787, 

Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo #2525): Dear sir, from all over the 

place [island] I receive nothing more but of the damages that have occurred 

on May 2nd * * * the chapel for the choir has been found to be unsafe so 

we may move out, finally, dear sir, it is unconcealed and after determination 

of what is best to have because neither can we have the people exposed to a 

church with a collapsed roof and be buried nor the majority of its ruins; as 

much as I am hurt by this calamity. 

CHF(5)

-66.6141 18.0115 Ponce, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011, quoting letters written and received by Matos, 1787, 

Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo #2525): * * * the same agent 

adjusted the one in Ponce, the entire [church] vault and even though there 

was much trouble in the neighborhoods, in the end they overcame it. 

CHF(5)

-66.3565 18.0801 Coamo, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011, quoting letters written and received by Matos, 1787, 

Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo #2525): * * * of Coamo we knew that 

the church did not receive damages. 

CHF(4)

-66.1659 18.1127 Cayey, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011, quoting letters written and received by Matos, 1787, 

Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo #2525): * * * that at Cayey they felt 

it [earthquake] is not unusual because they just recently put together two 

halves of their two vestries and they will complement very well the whole 

work. 

CHF(5)

-67.1414 18.2885 Añasco, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011 quoting letters written and received by Matos, 1787, CHF(5)
154

May 2, 1787

Archivo General de Indias, Santo Domingo #2525): * * * those of Añasco have 

taken shelter in Yaguas. 

-66.0347 18.2344 Caguas, Puerto Rico (McCann and others, 2011 quoting Cordova, 1968): The church at Arecibo was 

ruined, and those of Mayaguez, Caguas, and Toa Alta their walls were 

cracked. 

CHF(5)

Lesser Antilles

Intensity, Mercalli Magnitude Intensities (3-10); CHF, assigned by C. H. Flores (author); WHB, assigned by W. H. Bakun (co-author); SISF, assigned by 

SisFrance/Antilles (2010); L&S1995, assigned by Lynch and Shepherd (1995); S&L1992, assigned by Shepherd and Lynch (1992); T&R1977, assigned by 

Tomblin and Robson (1977); T&A1975, assigned by Tomblin and Aspinall (1975); R1974, assigned by Robson (1964); - , no intensity assigned. 

April 5, 1690

Time: Between 4 and 5 in the afternoon, Antigua local time. 

Phenomenon Notes: None 

Number of Observations: 11

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-61.8003 17.0864 Antigua (Shepherd and Lynch, 1992, quoting Colonial Records Office, London): Antigua, 

having more stone houses suffered much, most of the houses being either 

shaken down or being so split and cracked that they will have to be taken 

down. 

(Robson, 1964, quoting the Calendar State Papers, 1689-1692, 1901): Between 

four and five in the afternoon a terrible earthquake “laid some * * * 

buildings in rubbish and killed some persons”. Governor Codrington lost 

property to the value of £ 2000. Aftershocks almost daily for a month: 

further aftershocks in June...

CHF(8)

WHB(8)

SISF(7.5)

S&L1992(8)

R1964(9)

-62.3414 16.9419 Redonda (Shepherd and Lynch, 1992, quoting Colonial Records Office, London): A rocky 

islet called Rockadunda was a great part of it split and turned into the sea. 

(Oldmixon, 1741): Others passing the uninhabited island, or rather rock, 

called Redunda, found the earthquake so violent there, that a great part of 

that rocky isle split and tumbled into the sea where it was sunk, making as 

loud a noise as if several cannon had been fired. A very great cloud of dust 

ascended into the air at the fall. 

CHF(8)

WHB

SISF(7)

S&L1992(8)

-62.1899 16.7376 Montserrat (Shepherd and Lynch, 1992, quoting Colonial Records Office, London): And yet 

felt as severely (as in Antigua) in Montserrat. 

CHF(8)

WHB(8)
155

April 5, 1690

SISF(7)

S&L1992(8)

-62.5894 17.1541 Nevis (Smith, 1745): * * * the foundation [fountain] rock in the lower part of the 

town, bursting at the same instant and casting out a considerable quantity of 

water; and indeed some of the marks of this bursting were visible enough in 

my time. This Convulsion was on a Sunday in the afternoon, whilst some 

of my parishioners were drinking a bowl of rum punch, which one of them 

had then in his hand, in order to set it down upon the table* * * he assured 

me he did not spill a single drop, though the bowl was two thirds full. A 

huge piece of our Nevis Mountain...fell down and left a monstrous rocky 

spot of it quite naked and bare, which continues in that state to this very day 

(about 20 years later).* * * No one has lost his life by this earthquake. 

(Oldmixon, 1741): On Sunday the 6th of April, about 5 a clock in the evening, 

a strange hollow noise was heard for some few minutes, which was thought 

to proceed from the great mountain in the middle of this islands. The 

inhabitants were surprised and amazed at it; and immediately after, to their 

greater amazement, began a mighty earthquake, with so much violence, that 

almost all the houses in Charles Town, which were of brick or stone, were 

in an instant leveled to the ground, and those built of timber shook. In the 

streets the ground in several places clove about a foot asunder, and hot 

stinking water spouted out of the earth to a great height * * * It is usual 

almost at every house in this island to have a large cistern to contain the rain 

water, of about 9 or 10 foot deep and 15 or 20 foot diameter, threw out the 

water 8 or 10 foot high, and the motion of the earth all over the island was

such, that nothing could be more terrible. 

CHF(9)

WHB(9)

SISF(7.5)

S&L1992(8)

R1964(9)

-62.7494 17.3174 St. Kitts (Oldmixon, 1741): * * * there happened an earthquake here, which was felt in 

the other islands. The earth opened nine foot in many places and buried 

solid timber, sugar-mills, etc. It threw down the Jesuit College and other 

stone buildings. 

CHF(8)

WHB(7)

SISF(7.5)

S&L1992(8)

R1964(9)

-61.5443 16.2539 Guadeloupe (Robson, 1964, quoting Calendar of State Papers, 1689-1692, 1901): The French 

islands * * * suffered as severely * * *

CHF(6)

WHB(6)

S&L1992(6)

R1964(9)

-60.9988 14.6680 Martinique (Shepherd and Lynch, 1992, quoting Calendar of State Papers, 1690): It is 

reported to have been more violent (than in Barbados) at Martinico and the 

other French islands. 

CHF(4)

WHB(4)

SISF(4)
156

April 5, 1690

S&L1992(5)

-60.9719 13.9003 St. Lucia (Oldmixon, 1741): Several Sloops that passed from [Nevis] to Antego [Antigua]

felt it at sea, between St. Lucia and Martinico [Martinique], in their way to 

Barbados, the agitation of the water being so violent, that they thought 

themselves on rocks and shelves, the vessels shaking as if they would break 

to pieces. 

(Shepherd and Lynch, 1992, quoting Colonial Records Office, London): Sloops at 

sea between Martinique and St. Lucia thought themselves aground so 

violently were they shaken. 

CHF(4)

WHB(4)

SISF(4)

S&L1992(4)

-59.5514 13.1556 Barbados (Oldmixon, 1741): In April, 1690 there was an earthquake at Barbadoes, but it 

did no manner of hurt to men or cattle. 

CHF(3)

WHB(3)

S&L1992(3)

February 8, 1843

Time: Between 10:30 AM Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe local time and 10:40 AM English Harbour, Antigua local time.

Tsunami: The only report of the sea rushing in is from Antigua. 

Land Surface Effects: Crevasses were observed as well as water gushing out of the ground in coastal areas especially in Guadeloupe. 

Phenomenon Notes: The dockyard of English Harbour, Antigua, sank. Wells were observed to have dried up in Guadeloupe. Point-a-Pitre was completely 

destroyed partly from the earthquake but also from the immediate fires. Also, the governor of Guadeloupe claims that the earthquake lasted 70 seconds (Gourbeyre, 

1843). Many publications concerning this earthquake were written in the scientific literature including those of Charles Joseph Sainte-Claire Deville in which he did a 

reconnaissance of the islands and recorded the land surface effects and a list of aftershock sequence, and republished some of the eyewitness accounts. There are 

newspaper accounts of claims the effects of this earthquake were felt as far north as Bermuda and South Carolina and as far south as French and British Guiana 

colonies on the northern coast of South America. 

Number of Observations: 43

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-61.7652 17.0073 English Harbour, Antigua (Helmsley, 1843): The Dockyard at English Harbour is sunk considerably, 

many parts being under water, the whole of the stone houses in a complete 

ruinous state, the walls partly or wholly down; the water tanks containing 

nearly 11,000 tons of water burst with an awful crash; the Earthquake lasted 

about 4 minutes. Mr. Hart, Clerk in charge of the Dockyard, English 

Harbour, states that 3 clocks in the neighborhood stopped at 10h: 40m: a.m. 

Precise accounts had not been received from the interior. It is ascertained 40 

lives had been lost – tears [?] were entertained it was short of the actual loss. 

The Governor's house (Dows Hill) is partially destroyed with nearly all its 

furniture; the Ridge Barracks much damaged; the Custom House, Court 

House, and Wesleyan Meeting House destroyed. 

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(Barbadian, 1843a): The Town, I am told, presents one scene of destruction, 

* * * My poor friend * * * in the pride of human wisdom, thought that he 

would provide for future casualties, and erected a fire-proof store all of 

arches at the expense of £1000 sterling, and, in one moment it was a heap of 

ruins, * * * The dock yard, which was the wharf [?] of Antigua, has been so 

cracked, and the pier so sunk, as to be rendered almost useless, the 

estimated expense of repair is upwards of £50,000 sterling. The Garrison 

shared a similar fate, as the barracks were in such a state as to be 

uninhabitable. The troops are under canvass – in fact almost all our houses 

present the appearance of an umbrella, the roofs standing, but the houses 

gutted. 

-61.8456 17.1176 St. John's, Antigua (Helmsley, 1843): The organ in the Church of St. John's totally destroyed. 

(Barbadian, 1843a): The Governor, who has been residing out here, has been 

forced to abandon Dow's Hall, after having lost the greater part of his 

furniture; fortunately for him the Government House in St. John's is a 

wooden building, and is safe. 

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-61.8003 17.0864 Antigua (Helmsley, 1843): This island has suffered most severely, the whole of the 

churches and mills throughout the Island being a heap of ruins. 

(Barbadian, 1843a): (letter from a clergyman in Antigua dated Feb. 11) On 

Wednesday morning, the 8th between the hours of ten and eleven, we 

experienced one of the severest shocks (perhaps with the exception of 

Hayti) that has ever been felt in the Western world. I had just time to drag 

my wife and little Charlotte out of the house to prevent our being buried in 

the ruins. Jenny escaped out of the drawing-room door. Willy was 

fortunately in the yard, and my poor wife and self had the agony of knowing 

that our youngest child and the nurse were still in the building; fortunately 

they were in the wooden part; and here we are all, God be praised, unhurt. 

It lasted upwards of two minutes, in which time the work of destruction was 

incalculable, to Antigua positive ruin. Every Church, with the exception of 

the old wooden one, leveled or ruined, my own dear little one among the 

number; and, what is still more distressing, most of the mills and beddinghouses either thrown down or so severely rent as to require almost rebuilding before they can be used. I do not believe that there are at this 

moment more than a dozen windmills in the island effective; and this 

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melancholy to relate, at the commencement of one of the finest crops 

Antigua has had for many years. The greater part of the crop must perish 

for want of machinery to take it off; if persons even had the means, the 

mechanics necessary could not be obtained to re-erect them. I have lost all 

my little property, the accumulation of years, as my furniture was almost all 

destroyed or injured, and am now left almost houseless and destitute, with a 

wife and four children, and on the eve of her confinement with another. The 

only shelter we have is a bedroom and dressing room which being of wood 

and the old part of the house remains, although the foundation on which 

they stand has been so shattered that it is very unsafe. My personal loss 

accounts to almost £300 sterling * * * Every building at the Rectory is 

either thrown down or rendered useless, and no prospect of their being 

rebuilt immediately, as my unfortunate flock are in the same deplorable 

condition * * * At one time I expected that the mountain in rear of the house 

would have tumbled over and buried us, as a large avalanche of stone and 

earth came tumbling over; the sea also rose considerably and as we are on 

low alluvial soil, I expected momentarily when it would have rushed up the 

base of the mountain and overwhelmed us. But God was merciful to us and 

spared us. 

-61.5342 16.2415 Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe (Helmsley, 1843): (Mr. Risley of Philadelphia). At about 10h. 30m. a.m., of 

the 8th instant, a company of 150 to 160 persons, I was breakfasting at the 

Hotel [?] in the large square, when all of a sudden a dreadful noise not to be 

described, with a rocking movement, was felt; being near the door, I 

instantly rushed out and perceived the buildings falling in every direction. I 

perfectly recollect what happened for the first 15 to 20 seconds, and saw 

many persons either buried or killed; the whole of my fellow companions at 

breakfast I never saw again. In the midst of all this calamity the earth in 

several parts of the town opened to a considerable extent, when volumes of 

water spouted forth with awful fury to the extent of a hundred feet 

perpendicular in columns of several feet in thickness, momentary and 

also[?] awfully swallowing up hundreds of the inhabitants the earth closed 

again. What followed for 20 seconds after I have no recollection of – on 

recovering I found myself beside 3 dead bodies, in the midst of a heap of 

ruins, my clothes torn, and my hat broken. My son, a child six years of age 

most providentially escaped unhurt finding him shortly, after on a heap of 

ruins. The scene which presented itself was more than words can express. 

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February 8, 1843

Thousands were buried among the ruins and living and raising their voices 

for [?], many were saved; but alas, the work of destruction was not yet 

finished; a cry of fire was heard, which proved to be true; what the 

Earthquake and water had begun, the Fire finished. 

-61.7281 15.9960 Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe (Gourbeyre, 1843): At Basse-Terre, many gables are fallen; many houses 

strongly shaken are uninhabitable and must be demolished; fortunately 

nobody perished.

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-61.2626 15.9396 Capesterre de Marie Galant, 

Guadeloupe

(Barbadian, 1843c): The dependencies of The Saints and Marie-Galante have 

also suffered. The first was shaken with much violence, and some of the 

houses on the high lands thrown down; of the disasters on the lower lands, 

we are as yet ignorant. The new military establishment at I'lera Cantit [?] 

has been thrown down and the powder magazine destroyed. At Marie 

Galante, half of the town is down, that is to say, all the stone houses, 

barracks, coals [?], and churches. 

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-61.5834 15.8661 Iles de Saintes 

(Terre-de-haut), Guadeloupe

(Barbadian, 1843c): The dependencies of The Saints and Marie-Galante have 

also suffered. The first was shaken with much violence, and some of the 

houses on the high lands thrown down; of the disasters on the lower lands, 

we are as yet ignorant. The new military establishment at I'lera Cantit[?] 

has been thrown down and the powder magazine destroyed. At Marie 

Galante, half of the town is down, that is to say, all the stone houses, 

barracks, coals [?], and churches. 

(Gourbeyre, 1843): For Saintes, all the houses made of masonry were thrown 

down. 

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-61.3453 16.3310 Le Moule, Guadeloupe (Gourbeyre, 1843): All the quarters in the colony has suffered destruction. 

The town Monte destroyed. They deplore the death of 30 inhabitants. The 

countryside near the city was afflicted with similar calamity. In the 

boroughs of Saint-Francois, Saint-Anne, Port Louis, Bernard Bay, SainteRose were damaged; dead or injured almost everywhere. 

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-61.5914 16.1940 Petit-Bourg, Guadeloupe (Gourbeyre, 1843): Petit-Bourg is destroyed. CHF(9)

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-61.5328 16.4178 Port-Louis, Guadeloupe (Gourbeyre, 1843): All the quarters in the colony has suffered destruction. 

The town Monte destroyed. They deplore the death of 30 inhabitants. The 

countryside near the city was afflicted with similar calamity. In the 

boroughs of Saint-Francois, Saint-Anne, Port Louis, Bernard Bay, SainteCHF(8.5)

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Rose were damaged; dead or injured almost everywhere.

-61.3809 16.2274 Sainte-Anne, Guadeloupe (Gourbeyre, 1843): All the quarters in the colony has suffered destruction. 

The town Monte destroyed. They deplore the death of 30 inhabitants. The 

countryside near the city was afflicted with similar calamity. In the 

boroughs of Saint-Francois, Saint-Anne, Port Louis, Bernard Bay, SainteRose were damaged; dead or injured almost everywhere. 

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-61.6970 16.3334 Sainte-Rose, Guadeloupe (Gourbeyre, 1843): All the quarters in the colony has suffered destruction. 

The town Monte destroyed. They deplore the death of 30 inhabitants. The 

countryside near the city was afflicted with similar calamity. In the 

boroughs of Saint-Francois, Saint-Anne, Port Louis, Bernard Bay, SainteRose were damaged; dead or injured almost everywhere. 

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-61.2744 16.2520 Saint-Francois, Guadeloupe (Gourbeyre, 1843): All the quarters in the colony has suffered destruction. 

The town Monte destroyed. They deplore the death of 30 inhabitants. The 

countryside near the city was afflicted with similar calamity. In the 

boroughs of Saint-Francois, Saint-Anne, Port Louis, Bernard Bay, SainteRose were damaged; dead or injured almost everywhere. 

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-62.6267 17.1415 Charleston, Nevis (Helmsley, 1843): Charlotte Town Court House to the ground, Bath house 

much damaged. Custom House partly down and all the Mills in the Island 

more or less injured, nearly the whole of the Town destroyed, most of the 

Wood built houses are left standing, all the Stone Buildings are so injured 

that they must be taken down and re-built, estimated damage at £50,000, 

only 2 Mills on the Island that can be worked. 

(Barbadian, 1843c): * * * in the morning we had a shock that it is impossible 

for me to faithfully to describe. It was preceded by the usual low rumbling 

noise like distant thunder. The earth then commenced a tremulous motion 

which continued for half a minute. This was succeeded by a dreadful 

heaving and shaking, which I am told lasted a full minute and a half. I was 

upstairs at the commencement, and instantly ran down, calling out to my 

mother and sister to follow me into the yard. Scarcely had I left the house, 

when the violent motion I have mentioned came on, and the sensation was 

as if a vast wave was moving violently beneath my feet. At this time the 

scene beggared description. Houses cracking and shaking as if ready to be 

precipitated from their foundation; stone buildings falling and crashing in 

every direction, people running to and fro, overwhelmed with terror and 

consternation, and shrieking in the most appalling manner. For myself, I 

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stood up in the centre of the yard, expecting every moment when the ground 

would open and Charlestown be swallowed up, and its inhabitants ushered 

into eternity. Thank Heaven it passed; and though Charlestown is almost in 

ruins, it stands and not a life has been lost and scarcely any personal 

accident of any kind has happened to any one * * * My house, which is as 

you know, a wooden one, has sustained no damage; but all the wall of the 

servants rooms which forms one entire side of them is down, also the 

greatest part of the kitchen (very lately put up) and the wall which divides 

the premises from Lennington's (formerly the Smith's). 

-62.2193 16.7060 Plymouth, Montserrat (Helmsley, 1843): Wesleyan Meeting House so much injured must be taken 

down, the whole of the Mils on the Sugar Estates unfit for use, several large 

fissures (from land slips) appear on the sides of the Hills, lasted 2 minutes, 

six lives lost, the whole of the Stone buildings more or less injured and at 

present not inhabitable. 

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-62.7147 17.2969 Basseterre, St. Kitts (Helmsley, 1843): Houses much shaken but not materially injured lasted 3 

minutes. 

(Barbadian,1843b): Basseterre Church irreparably injured. The Churches of 

St. Peter's St. Mary's, Cayon, P. Point, Old Road, and Sandy Point are 

materially injured. The Town of Basseterre has suffered severely. Wall 

House in the square down. Part of the Reading House – Mr. Mathew's Store 

– all down. The House occupied by the Director of the West India Bank 

nearly down, and every stone building in Town so much injured, that it will 

be necessary to take down many of them. One house in Town partly sunk 

into the cellar. All the estates throughout the island much injured. Steam 

Engines, Boiling Houses, Dwelling Houses, and Works, leveled with the 

earth. The works of the Bevon Island Estate thrown into a ravine below 

them. The loss of property in stores, furniture, &c. very great. Four Mile 

Bridge undermined – St. Vincent Observer, Feb. 14. 

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-62.8000 17.3199 Old Road, St. Kitts (Barbadian, 1843b): The Churches of St. Peter's St. Mary's, Cayon, P. Point, 

Old Road, and Sandy Point are materially injured. All the estates 

throughout the island much injured. Steam Engines, Boiling Houses, 

Dwelling Houses, and Works, leveled with the earth. The loss of property in 

stores, furniture, &c. very great. – St. Vincent Observer, Feb. 14. 

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-62.7364 17.3515 Cayon, St. Kitts (Barbadian, 1843b): The Churches of St. Peter's St. Mary's, Cayon, P. Point, 

Old Road, and Sandy Point are materially injured. All the estates 

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throughout the island much injured. Steam Engines, Boiling Houses, 

Dwelling Houses, and Works, leveled with the earth. – St. Vincent 

Observer, Feb. 14. 

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-62.8460 17.3538 Sandy Point, St. Kitts (Barbadian, 1843b): The Churches of St. Peter's St. Mary's, Cayon, P. Point, 

Old Road, and Sandy Point are materially injured. All the estates 

throughout the island much injured. Steam Engines, Boiling Houses, 

Dwelling Houses, and Works, leveled with the earth. – St. Vincent 

Observer, Feb. 14. 

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-61.3006 15.5454 Melville Hall, Dominica (Dominican, 1843a): * * * we have learned with regret that the Windward 

Quarter – of the island has sustained material injury by the awful calamity, 

and that amongst other loses the Sugar Works and other stone buildings of 

the Melville Hall and Londonderry Estates have been destroyed. 

(Dominican, 1843b): The walls of the curing houses dwelling house, and 

distilleries in fact every stone building on this Estate are almost in every 

part down. Those of the Boiling and Mill houses shaken. the sugar boilers 

sunk in their seats, and the Chimneys entirely destroyed, the canal split to 

the length of four hundred yards. The land of both these valleys has sunk 

inward from the N. and the S. falling five inches and the river thrown out of 

its accustomed bed to the south about 20 feet, one child killed.

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-61.2565 15.4411 Castle Bruce, Dominica (Dominican, 1843b): The chimneys of the boiling and still houses were both 

thrown down, the former fell upon the roof and in part crushed it in - part 

of the east end of the curing house wall is thrown down, the north wall of 

the Little House is split literally from top to bottom, the walls are otherwise 

much injured and must be taken down in part and rebuilt after crop is 

gathered in, the Mill House is rent and much shaken and must also in part 

be rebuilt. 

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-61.4616 15.5532 Picard, Dominica (Dominican, 1843b): At this place the sugar works have been shaken to their 

foundation; and the chimneys rendered quite unsafe. These will have to be 

rebuilt as soon as the present crop is taken off * * * York Valley Estate -

We commence then by stating that the dwelling house of the York Valley 

Estate has been rendered uninhabitable: the Works however have been but 

slightly shaken * * * Layon[?] Valley and Prince Ruperts - No serious injury 

has been done to the other Estates in the Layon Valley, nor to any other on 

the Leeward coast as far as to Prince Ruperts. 

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-61.4519 15.5707 Sugar Loaf, Dominica (Dominican, 1843b): The chimneys of the sugar works and distilleries 

together with the walls of a Blacksmith Shop, stables, pens, stock houses, 

&c. have been thrown to the ground – a mass of ruins! and the boiling house 

so shaken that part has already been taken down. It must be rebuilt after 

crop. 

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-61.2977 15.5575 Londonderry, Dominica (Dominican, 1843b): The whole of the Sugar works, Curing houses, 

distilleries, store rooms, with chimneys, boilers &c. have been leveled to the 

ground. There is not a Stone building on this property which has not either 

been totally or partially destroyed. 

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-61.2828 15.5211 Hutton Garden 

(Hatton Garden), Dominica

(Dominican, 1843b): The state of the Hutton Garden estate is portrayed in the 

following extract of a letter in the last Colonist: - “Our Works were in full 

play, making sugar when the Earthquake commenced, in a few seconds I 

observed part of the wall of the Mill House falling and the roof (of slate) 

with it – at the same time the chimney of the boiling house, part of the wall 

of the still house, and curing house, were tumbling in, and clouds of dust, 

then arose as if the whole buildings were demolished. Fortunately, the roofs 

of the boiling curing and still houses remain up. The back part of the wall 

of the boiling house, is so rent and shattered, that it must be taken down by 

degrees and rebuilt, I may say the same of the great part of the curing and 

still houses, it being unsafe for any person to remain in them, I am glad to 

say the horse stable, though in mason work, has not suffered, my house 

fortunately is built of wood, but rest on a breast wall, which has given way 

in several places, my kitchen walls partly thrown down. - I observed that 

earth is cracked within six feet of my house, and ready to slide away, so 

violent was the shock of the Earthquake, that the trash was thrown from off 

of several of our negro houses.” 

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-61.3068 15.5709 Eden, Dominica (Dominican, 1843b): Chimney and boiling house down and walls partly 

injured, thanks be to God no lives lost here. 

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-61.3856 15.2977 Roseau, Dominica (Dominican, 1843a): The inhabitants of Roseau were, at seven minutes to 

Eleven o'clock this forenoon, suddenly and justly alarmed beyond all 

description by the terrible shock of an earthquake which for violence the 

oldest of them say, has not even been exceeded here which its duration was 

longer than they ever experienced! As far as the agitated mind of everyone 

in town can at this moment calculate the violation rocked from NE. to the 

S.W. producing a roaring noise like a hurricane, and afterwards the ground 

seemed to heave perpendicularly, shaking the houses with a cracking noise 

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similar to that heard when a roof is being unshingled. At the same moment 

the larger buildings clearly appeared to be rolling to and fro, and columns of 

smoke were seen issuing from several of the Mountains in sight of Town. 

During the morning as for several days past the sky had been exceedingly 

clear and serene. We think the shock lasted 2 1⁄2 minutes but one gentleman 

assures us that by a watch he had in his hand it occupied three minutes and a 

half! In about half a minute from the * * * almost every house was vacated 

leaving the streets covered with the in habitants of every Class, Sex, and 

Age. Several Stone buildings have been cracked and some old walls and 

chimneys thrown down. The Jail, Police Office, and Roman Catholic 

Church are included in the report – At the Militia Arsenal the Arm racks 

were so shaken as to bring the Muskets to the floor. - Several messengers 

have already reached Town from the neighboring Estates with reports of 

accidents to Buildings and of the tumbling down of bodies of earth from the 

hills and cliffs but we prefer today confining ourselves to the Town to avoid 

mistakes * * *. 

-62.9859 17.4816 Oranjestad, St. Eustatius (Barbadian 1843c): Estates all severely injured; and crops will consequently 

be lost. 

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-62.8249 17.8972 St. Barts 

(St. Barthelemy)

(Barbadian, 1843c): All the stone houses split – many must be pulled down. 

No lives lost. For about a half a-cubit [?] in the town, along the streets, there 

was an opening in the ground of about 10 inches wide. 

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-63.0538 18.0642 St. Martin (Barbadian, 1843c): Estates all ruined, and stone houses all thrown down –

No lives lost.

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-61.1757 14.7405 St. Pierre, Martinique (Barbadian, 1843b): An Earthquake took place at St. Pierre on Wednesday 

last, at the hour at which one was felt here; it was marked by the same 

tremulous motion, without shock, which characterized its action in this 

Colony. The vibrations are said to have continued without interruption for 

several minutes. The whole of the inhabitants of St. Pierre fled down to the 

sea beach and part of what we understand to be celebrated overhanging 

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Rock, fell into the Town. The General Grant was getting under weigh at the 

time and had no subsequent communication with the shore, so that it is not 

known what if any lives were lost, or what damage has been done –

Standard, February 13. 

-60.9988 14.6680 Martinique (Helmsley, 1843): Shaken but no injury in town – the sugar mills a little 

damaged. 

(Times, 1843): On the 8th, the day of the catastrophe which reduced Point-aPitre to a heap of ruins and ashes, I was going towards the Savannah, about 

20 minutes past 10 o'clock, in order to reach the palace, when I heard cries 

of distress coming from every side of me. The people rushed from their 

homes, the women carrying their children in their arms, all hurrying to the 

open promenade. I then felt the earth tremble under my feet, and began to 

hasten my own steps. The shocks continued with increased violence for 

nearly two minutes but, fortunately, there was no vertical movement, which 

would have inevitably thrown down our houses, as in 1839. We soon 

ascertained that our town remained uninjured. 

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-60.9719 13.9003 St. Lucia (Helmsley, 1843): A little shaken but no injury. 

(Saint George Chronicle, 1843a): At St. Lucia, the Custom House, Jail and one 

or two other buildings sustained slight injury. 

(Saint George Chronicle, 1843b): Yesterday at 28 minutes past 10, A.M., this 

place was visited by a vehement shock of earthquake, which lasted nearly 

three minutes. The motion was rapid and tremulous, accompanied with 

alternate undulations North and South, which seemed to threaten the 

demolition of every building in the town. - Like the great shock in January 

1893, that which occurred yesterday was unaccompanied by the rumbling 

noise generally heard to precede the shocks of earthquake. In this instance 

the startling phenomenon was equally alarming with that, the sad 

recollection of whose appalling effects is still fresh upon our minds. In a 

moment after the first vibration, nearly all the houses in town were deserted 

by their inmates, who were to be seen clustered about the street and squares, 

kneeling and recommending themselves to the Almighty Protection. 

Happily, the dreadful vibrations ceased without causing that destruction, 

which there had been so much cause to apprehend while they lasted. The 

Roman Catholic Church, the Custom House, Goal enclosure, and some 

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other buildings of mason-work, have been cracked, but none materially 

injured in the town. Slight shocks were also felt during the night of Tuesday 

and last night. – St. Lucia Palladium, February 9. 

-64.6344 18.4295 Tortola, British Virgin Islands

(Roadtown)

(Helmsley, 1843): At 10.30, AM. a severe shock but no injured, lasted 4 

minutes. 

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-64.9299 18.3500 St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

(Charlotte Amalie)

(Helmsley, 1843): On reaching St. Thomas on the 9th instant from Jamaica 

and St. Jago de Cuba I learnt that the shock of an Earthquake had been felt 

there 10. 30, of the 8th instant but fortunately without doing any damage, 

from thence I proceeded thro' the Islands. 

(Barbadian, 1843c): The earthquake which took place the morning was from 

N.E. and the vibrations were felt without intermission for the space of 

nearly two minutes. -St. Thomas Times February 8.

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-64.7032 17.7467 Christiansted, St. Croix 

Virgin Islands 

(Sainte-Claire Deville, 1848): Violent shaking of an earthquake, which lasted 

nearly half a minute, proceeded and accompanied by a strange noise, which 

had at the same time a rumble and a squeal. The roof of my house began to 

creak and shake, while the panel on which I was writing at that moment was 

shaking such that it was impossible for me to continue; the floor swayed 

also very noticeably. Back at my residence in the countryside, situated one 

mile east of the city, I found that my astronomical clock in the small 

observatory where it is fixed to the astronomic circle, had been arrested by 

the earthquake, in perfect agreement, as sidereal time, with the average time 

I noted in the city, and I certify exactly to be less than fifteen seconds. 

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-61.2290 13.1576 Kingstown, St. Vincent (Saint George Chronicle,1843b): One of those awful visitations of providence, 

which so frequently occur in these colonies – an earthquake – was 

experienced here about half past ten on Wednesday morning last, and 

continued for an unusual length of time, probably from a minute to a minute 

and a half, though it was by no means so violent as we have before 

experienced, and fortunately was silenced with no injury -St. Vincent 

Gazette, Feb. 11. 

CHF(4)

SISF(6)

S&L1992(5)

-59.6141 13.0972 Bridgetown, Barbados (Saint George Chronicle, 1843b): At 20 minutes before Eleven o'clock this 

morning, sitting at our desk, we were alarmed by the shaking of the chair, 

and instantly felt the terrifying conviction that we were experiencing an 

CHF(4)

WHB(4)

SISF(5.5)

S&L1992(4)
167

February 8, 1843

earthquake. The vibration of the earth from South to North increased to an 

awful degree, and lasted at least a minute and a half. The shock was so 

severe as to induce very many persons to run out of their houses. It was 

particularly violent on the Wharf and on Broad Street. Many persons were 

seized with great nausea at the stomach, some even to vomiting -Barbadian 

Feb.8, 1843. 

-61.6798 12.1100 Grenada (Barbadian, 1843b): On Wednesday fortnight[?] last, a severe shock of 

earthquake was felt here, 20 minutes before 11 o'clock and there was too 

much probability to suppose that it had extended to the Northern 

Islands...Grenada Free Press February 15. 

CHF(4)

R1964(5)

-61.2611 10.4441 Trinidad (Barbadian, 1843b): A slight shock of Earthquake was felt yesterday in the 

Town and Suburbs; the motion was tremulous slow and unbroken, and of 

about a minute's duration. Like all similar awful visitations, it caused 

anxiety; but as the shock was not repeated, the admonitory warning, as 

usual, was speedily forgotten, or disregarded. We [?] hear that what was felt 

here was merely the vibration of a much more powerful convulsions at

some distant spot – Trinidad Standard, Feb. 9. 

CHF(4)

R1964(3)

-59.1636 6.8126 British Guinea

(Georgetown, Guyana)

(Barbadian, 1843a): We understand that the earthquake was very alarming in 

British Guinea. 

(Barbadian, 1843b): Yesterday, this City was visited by two very smart 

shocks of earthquake, which, together, lasted about forty five seconds. 

Houses and Churches were violently rocked to and fro – the spire of the 

Scottish Church, in especial, we are informed, vibrated considerably, even 

after the cessation of the shock. In a certain Wine-store in Water-street, we 

are told, the bottles played such fantastic tricks, as their contents are apt to 

produce on mortals. We believe, also, some few chimneys fell; and it is very 

possible that, in the country, some of the tall chimneys of the boiling houses 

may have suffered. But as the shock was accompanied with more of an 

undulating motion, than the sharp violent jar which generally marks these 

fearful phenomena of nature, the damage is not likely to be great in this 

Colony. It is impossible to say, however, what may have been the effects in 

the neighboring Islands. Our soil – our wooden tenements – the flatness of 

the land, whereby no buildings are erected on declivities, are all 

circumstances combining to lessen the desolating effects of earthquakes in 

Guiana.-Guiana Herald, February, 9. 

CHF(4)

S&L1992(4)

R1964(4)
168

February 8, 1843

(Barbadian, 1843b): At ten minutes past eleven o'clock, this forenoon, 

occurred as severe an earthquake as some of the oldest inhabitants have any 

recollection of. Every moveable in every house was in motion, and every 

house shook violently; some old chimney stacks fell; people were seized 

with giddiness and nausea, similar to the feelings incidental to incipient sea 

sickness. As quickly [?] as conclusion would other persons to judge, the 

shock, or rather the two shocks, lasted, altogether, forty seconds. But on 

three occasions no man thinks of taking out his watch, and counting time, 

for the Philosopher is lost in the helpless and apprehensive human being. -

Guiana Times, February 8. 

-52.3315 4.9387 Cayenne, Guyane 

(French Guiana)

(Sainte-Claire Deville, 1847): We felt a strong earthquake on February 8, at ten 

and three quarters* * *for here all the houses are made of wood. 

CHF(3)

WHB(3)

SISF(3.5)

-66.6141 18.0115 Puerto Rico (Ponce) (Helmsley, 1843): At the time of the Earthquake the ship was off the island of 

Porto Rico, no shock was felt on board. 

-

October 8, 1974

Time: 09:50:57.08 UTC earthquake origin time; 

Phenomenon Notes: (-61.976° W, 17.349° N) depth =21.3 km, Mw=6.9, Ms=7.3 (Engdahl and Villaseñor, 2002) According the United States Earthquake report 

for 1974, this event was not felt in the U.S. Virgin Islands (Coffman and Stover, 1984). Tomblin and Aspinall (1975) did a reconnaissance report of the earthquake 

and published their results in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America. The figure references inside the descriptions also refer to the figures in their 

publication. 

Number of Observations: 19

Longitude Latitude City Description Intensity

-61.8003 17.0864 Antigua (Coffman and Stover, 1984): Intensity VIII on Antigua and Barbuda. 

(Tomblin and Aspinall, 1975): From an examination of the damage by the 

authors, the MM intensity was rated VIII in Antigua and VII in St. Kitts and 

Montserrat. * * * Nearly all the visible damage outside St. John’s, Antigua, 

is also on a line trending approximately north-south, figure 26. This line 

extends from slight damage at the Anchorage Hotel on the northwest coast, 

through the oil refinery, the town of St. John’s, the Golden Grove Technical 

College, the Creekside Bridge, to the damage at the Ministry of Agriculture 

Plant Propagation Station in Christian Valley. Slight damage occurred to 

buildings elsewhere on the island but the above line of obvious damage 

stands out and demands further study. 

L&S1995(8)

T&A1975(8)
169

October 8, 1974

-61.8456 17.1176 St. John, Antigua (Tomblin and Aspinall, 1975): The most severe damage occurred to 

unreinforced masonry structures, especially the taller ones. These included 

the Anglican Cathedral in St. John’s Antigua in which the limestone blocks 

were partly dislodged along the mortared joints, or the blocks themselves 

fractured in numerous parts of the building, while several of the masonry 

columns in the twin towers, figure 3, and sections of the parapet, completely 

collapsed, figure 4. Similar fracturing and outward bulging of the parapet 

wall occurred in the Court House in St. John’s, figure 5. At the prison in St. 

John’s (built in 1735) a complete limestone-block wall fell outward from an 

upper floor office, and numerous cells suffered collapse of masonry and 

plaster. * * * The majority of buildings with reinforced concrete or steel 

frames came through the earthquake with superficial, not structural damage. 

* * * In the town of St. John’s Antigua, several underground cast-iron water 

mains, approximately 10 cm in diameter, were fractured, figure 16, but in 

general, supplies were not interrupted.

SISF(8)

-61.7904 17.6357 Barbuda (Coffman and Stover, 1984): Intensity VIII on Antigua and Barbuda. 

(Tomblin and Aspinall, 1975): Reports from other islands have been rated at 

MM intensity VII in Barbuda, intensity VI in St. Bartholomew and 

Guadeloupe, intensity V in Dominica, intensity III in St. Lucia and intensity 

II in Puerto Rico. 

SISF(7.5)

L&S1995(7)

T&A1975(7)

-62.7494 17.3174 St. Kitts (Tomblin and Aspinall, 1975): From an examination of the damage by the 

authors, the MM intensity was rated VIII in Antigua and VII in St. Kitts and 

Montserrat. 

SISF(7)

L&S1995(7)

T&A1975(7)

-62.8031 17.3232 Middle Island, St. Kitts (Tomblin and Aspinall, 1975): In St. Kitts, the church at Middle Island was 

severely damaged by the collapse of the upper half of the tower through the 

roof, figure 6. This tower dated 1860 was an example of one of the poorest 

imaginable kinds of construction for a seismically active region. The walls, 

about 60 cm thick, consisted of 10-cm-thick hewn lava blocks cemented by 

very poor mortar to form the outer faces, while the interiors were filled with 

loose earth and rounded boulders with no binding agent, figure 7. 

-

-62.7147 17.2969 Basseterre, St. Kitts (Tomblin and Aspinall, 1975): The Treasury Building at Basseterre, St. Kitts 

showed serious cracking and a minor fall of unreinforced masonry from its 

block work parapet, figure 8; the Anglican Church in Basseterre suffered a 

similar loss of masonry from the crest of its western parapet.

-
170

October 8, 1974

-62.1899 16.7376 Montserrat (Tomblin and Aspinall, 1975): From an examination of the damage by the 

authors, the MM intensity was rated VIII in Antigua and VII in St. Kitts and 

Montserrat.

SISF(7)

L&S1995(7)

T&A1975(7)

-62.1548 16.7467 Bethel, Montserrat (Tomblin and Aspinall, 1975): In Montserrat, similar damage and a minor fall 

of blocks, occurred from upper corners of the Bethel Church tower, situated 

on the eastern side of the island.

-

-62.2126 16.7056 Plymouth, Montserrat (Tomblin and Aspinall, 1975): Where structural damage had occurred, for 

example in reinforced concrete columns * * * and the National State 

Building, Plymouth, Montserrat, it was clear that there had been 

overloading of these columns due to inadequate design. 

-

-62.8249 17.8972 St. Bartholomew 

(St. Barthelemy)

(Tomblin and Aspinall, 1975): Reports from other islands have been rated at 

MM intensity VII in Barbuda, intensity VI in St. Bartholomew and 

Guadeloupe, intensity V in Dominica, intensity III in St. Lucia and intensity 

II in Puerto Rico. 

L&S1995(6)

T&A1975(6)

-61.5443 16.2539 Guadeloupe (Tomblin and Aspinall, 1975): Reports from other islands have been rated at 

MM intensity VII in Barbuda, intensity VI in St. Bartholomew and 

Guadeloupe, intensity V in Dominica, intensity III in St. Lucia and intensity 

II in Puerto Rico. 

SISF(6)

L&S1995(6)

T&A1975(6)

-61.3365 15.4259 Dominica (Tomblin and Aspinall, 1975): Reports from other islands have been rated at 

MM intensity VII in Barbuda, intensity VI in St. Bartholomew and 

Guadeloupe, intensity V in Dominica, intensity III in St. Lucia and intensity 

II in Puerto Rico. 

L&S1995(5)

T&A1975(5)

-60.9719 13.9003 Saint Lucia (Tomblin and Aspinall, 1975): Reports from other islands have been rated at 

MM intensity VII in Barbuda, intensity VI in St. Bartholomew and 

Guadeloupe, intensity V in Dominica, intensity III in St. Lucia and intensity 

II in Puerto Rico. 

SISF(3)

L&S1995(3)

T&A1975(3)

-65.6382 18.3361 Fajardo, Puerto Rico (Coffman and Stover, 1984): Intensity V at Fajardo, P.R. -

-66.1137 17.9832 Guayama, Puerto Rico (Coffman and Stover, 1984): Intensity IV at Guayama, Humacao, and Ponce. -

-65.8265 18.1502 Humacao, Puerto Rico (Coffman and Stover, 1984): Intensity IV at Guayama, Humacao, and Ponce. -

-66.6141 18.0115 Ponce, Puerto Rico (Coffman and Stover, 1984): Intensity IV at Guayama, Humacao, and Ponce. -

-65.6120 18.2289 Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico (Coffman and Stover, 1984): Intensity III at Roosevelt Roads, P.R. U.S. Naval 

Station. 

-
171

List of Events Studied by the Authors

Table 1. Earthquakes studied further in Bakun and others (2012) and ten Brink and others (2011). 

[Below are earthquakes studied further using Bakun and Wentworth’s (1997; 1999) method for estimating 

Magnitude Intensity on the basis of earthquake damage reports. The publication column indicates where to find the 

discussion of the results for that earthquake. S, South; Dom. Rep., Dominican Republic; long, longitude; lat, 

latitude] 

Event Page number in 

this report

Publication Intensity Location

(long, lat)

Magnitude Intensity

(± 1 sigma ) 

December 2, 1562 15 ten Brink -70.68, 19.37 7.7 ± 0.3 

September 7, 1615 16 ten Brink S. coast of Dom. 

Rep.

7.5 ± 0.7

January, 1665 (day unknown) 17 ten Brink S. coast of Dom. 

Rep.

6.8 ± 0.7

May 9, 1673 18 ten Brink S. coast of Dom. 

Rep.

7.3 ± 0.7

1684 (month and day unknown) 18 ten Brink S. coast of Dom. 

Rep.

7.0 ± 0.7

April 5, 1690 (Lesser Antilles) 154 ten Brink -62.51, 17.08 7.5 ± 0.2

1691 (month and day unknown) 19 ten Brink S. coast of Dom. 

Rep.

7.5 ± 0.7

November 9, 1701 20 Bakun -72.65, 18.42 6.6 ± 0.3

October 18, 1751 24 Bakun -70.84, 18.36 7.4 – 7.5 ± 0.2

November 21, 1751 31 Bakun -72.32, 18.54 6.6 ± 0.2

June 3, 1770 41 Bakun -72.86, 18.50 7.5 ± 0.2

July 11, 1785 (Puerto Rico) 149 ten Brink -64.60, 19.21 6.9 (-0.3, +0.2)

May 2, 1787 (Puerto Rico) 151 ten Brink -67.54, 17.33 6.9 (7.2) ± 0.2 (d)

May 7, 1842 56 ten Brink -70.80, 19.42 7.6 (+0.2, -0.1)

February 8, 1843 (Lesser 

Antilles)

156 ten Brink -61.49, 16.34 7.8 (-0.2, +0.1)

April 8, 1860 73 Bakun -73.17, 18.55 6.3 ± 0.2

September 23, 1887 81 ten Brink -72.65, 19.86 6.7 ± 0.2

December 29, 1897 90 ten Brink -70.76, 19.70 6.5 ± 0.2

April 24, 1916 126 ten Brink -69.38, 19.20 6.8 ± 0.2

August 4, 1946 134 Bakun, ten Brink -69.80, 19.35 (a) 7.8 ± 0.2

October 28, 1952 143 Bakun (b) 6.0 ± 0.2

October 8, 1974 (Lesser 

Antilles)

168 ten Brink -61.76, 17.36 (c) 7.0 ± 0.2 

(a) The location of the instrument for measuring intensity for August 4, 1946, is (-68.94, 18.92). (b) The location of the 

instrument for October 28, 1952, is ( -73.52, 18.51) from Sykes and Ewing, (1965). (c) The location of the instrument for 

October 8, 1974, is (-61.976, 17.349). (d) The second magnitude in parenthesis is the estimated magnitude if using the 

Hispaniola attenuation relationship instead of the one for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; see reference ten Brink and 

others (2011). 
172

 

Table 2. Earthquake Modified Mercalli Intensity Criteria.

[Below is the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale used in this catalog and in the research publications Bakun 

and others (2012) and ten Brink and others (2011). Intensities are modified from Richter (1958) and listed both in 

Arabic (form used in this catalog) and Roman numerals.] 

MMI Damage 

9 - IX Total destruction

8 - VIII Most structures destroyed. Only a few buildings remain standing.

7 - VII Damage to several structures. Most of the building stock remains standing.

6 - VI Some damage reported for a few significant structures. Damage to the cathedral was often 

reported to secure rebuilding funds from Spain. 

5 - V No damage reported. Intensity V, as described in Richter (1958). 

4 - IV No damage reported. Intensity IV, as described in Richter (1958). 

3 - III No damage reported. Intensity III, as described in Richter (1958). 
173

Maps of the Northern Caribbean 

Figure 1. Tectonic map of the northern Caribbean showing the islands of Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Northern Lesser Antilles. 
174

Figure 2. Map of the island of Hispaniola showing the locations of cities and towns with significant populations. 
175

Historical events of interest on the island of Hispaniola

Various significant political and historical events contribute to the population growth or decline on the 

island. Changes in population distribution directly affect the availability of eyewitness testimony for any 

natural hazards, including earthquakes. The list below was compiled using the references of Charlevoix (1731), 

Garcia (1900), del Monte y Tejada (1890), Hazard (1873), Schoenrich (1918), Ornes (1958), Heinl and Heinl 

(1978), and Figueredo and Argote-Freyre (2008). 

1492 - December 5, 1492 – Discovery of the American continent by Columbus during his first voyage 

(del Monte y Tejada, 1890; Garcia 1900). La Isabella (de Juan de Aguado) was the site of the first landing by 

Columbus on the island and the site of the first European settlement. 

1582 – The Gregorian Calendar is adopted by the Catholic nations of Spain, Portugal, France, and 

Poland. 

1586 - Invasion of Drake into Santo Domingo on January 10, 1586, in the morning. 

1606 - Closing of the ports trading with other countries by the King of Spain. The governor of the island 

Senor Don Diego Acuna and the archbishop Don Fray Pedro Oviedo carried out the order of the Real Audience 

of Spain. Puerto de Plata, Monte Cristi, Bayaja, La Iguana (Yaguana), or Santa Maria del Puerto were ordered 

destroyed. The governor carried out the order in 1606 according to Garcia (1900). Two new towns were 

created for the coastal populations, San Juan Bautista de Bayaguana (inhabitants from Bayaja and Yaguana) and 

Monte Plata (inhabitants from Monte Cristi and Puerto Plata).

1608 - Santo Cerro is established. 

1630 – Establishments in the island of St. Christopher (today St. Kitts) destroyed by the Spaniards. 

Refugees settled in Tortuga.

1638 – Governor of Santo Domingo had the settlement of Tortuga attacked and destroyed. 

1639- Invasion of the island of Tortuga by the English adventurer Willis. 

1655 – Invasion by Admiral William Penn (English) in Santo Domingo May 14, 1655. Sustained many 

losses and left June 3, proceeded to take Jamaica.

1653 – Count of Penalva, governor, took over Tortuga and built a garrison. 

1664 – Port-de-Paix is established. 

1673 – Delisle invasion into Puerto Plata (fort) and Santiago. 

1678 – French import of African slaves.

1685 – Tentative boundary agreements made between the Spanish and French. 

1689 – War between France and Spain over Hispaniola. French burn Santiago to the ground. 

1692 – Admiral Perez Caro invades the French side in the plain of La Limonade, kills the French 

governor and principal officers, exterminates Samana, attacks French settlements.

1695 – English and Spanish fleets join forces; enter Manzanillo Bay, burning and sacking Cape Français 

(Cape Haitien) and Port-de-Paix. 

1697 - Peace Treaty of Ryswick 20 December, 1697, among France, Spain, Holland, and Germany. 

France acquired the western third of the island of Santo Domingo; Spain regained all its territories won after the 

Peace treaty of Nimega. 

1700 – The Gregorian Calendar is adopted by the countries of Germany and the Netherlands. 

1730 – Santo Domingo, the Spanish colony, had 6,000 inhabitants with only the following cities: Santo 

Domingo, Cotui, Santiago, Azua, Banica, Monte Plata, Bayaguana, La Vega, Higuey, and Seibo. 

1740 – Spanish opening of ports for foreign trade. 

1752 – The Gregorian Calendar is adopted by Great Britain. 

1777 – Establishment of the boundary between Haiti and the Dominican Republic by treaty. 

1789 – French Revolution. 

1791 – Mulattoes are granted civil and political rights by the French National Assembly, resistance by 

the colony results in an bloody uprising. 

1793 – France goes to war with England and Spain.

1795 – Treaty of Basle, peace declared between France and Spain; Santo Domingo ceded to France. 

1799 – The Audiences of Santo Domingo is moved to Puerto Principe, Cuba. 

1801 – Toussaint l'Ouverture takes over city of Santo Domingo, January 27, 1801. He fully takes over 

the island. Mass exodus of European whites to neighboring colonies. 
176

1804 – After winning the last battle with France, the black generals claim independence and call the 

island Haiti. Jean Jacques Dessalines makes himself governor for life with dictatorial powers, orders the 

massacre of all the French living in Haiti. Two years later Dessalines himself was assassinated. 

1805 – Dessalines continues in campaign to control the entire island, Santiago invaded, church burned 

down, Santo Domingo City under siege. Azua, San José de las Matas, Monte Plata, Cotui, San Francisco de 

Macoris, La Vega, Santiago, and Monte Cristi were reduced to ashes. Inhabitants of Moca were massacred. 

Ferrand stays to defeat Dessalines in Santo Domingo and force his retreat back to Haiti.

1814 – Spain takes back its dominion of Santo Domingo in the Treaty of Paris.

1822 – Haiti invades Santo Domingo and the Haitian President Boyer claims the entire island as the 

country of Haiti. 

1824 – Americans immigrate to the island.

1844 – Dominican Republic is formed and the border disputes between Haiti and the Dominican 

Republic begin. 

1849 – Baez elected president of the Dominican Republic.

1861 – Spain regains power of the Dominican Republic under General Pedro Santana. The Spanish take 

over all offices to the exclusion of native Dominicans and forced Catholicism, shutting down the Protestant 

churches. 

1865 –Dominican Republic reclaims its independence from Spain. 

1871 – Report published by a subcommittee delegated by the United Sates Congress for the possible 

annexation of the Dominican Republic by order of President U.S. Grant. The original treaty between the United 

States and the Dominican Republic for its annexation as a U.S. territory had been negotiated in 1869. Congress 

voted both against the treaty and annexation of the territory. 

1878 – The Seminare-College St. Martial of Port-au-Prince is established. 

1884 – On October 13, 1884, Greenwich is voted to be the Prime Meridian, Longitude 0°, by the 

International Meridian Conference held in Washington, D.C. It would still take decades for countries to adopt 

and implement a time zone based on the Prime Meridian. 

1889 – The newspaper Le Nouvelliste is established in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. 

1898 – The Spanish-American war began on April 1898 soon after the sinking of the USS Maine. The 

United States occupied Puerto Rico in July of 1898. Peace was declared with the treaty of Paris in December of 

1898. The United States acquired the territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philipines and control of Cuba. 

1905 – Establishment of the Astronomical and Meteorological Society of Port-au-Prince. Dr. 

Destouches was the first president of the society. 

1914–1918 – World War I. 

1915 – July 28, United States invades Haiti. The United States occupies Haiti until August 1, 1934. 

1916 – May 16, U.S. occupies the Dominican Republic. U.S. occupation ends in October 1922. 

1930 – The Dominican Republic overthrows their previous dictator Horacio Vasquez Lajara by civil and 

military coup. Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina was then general of the armed forces and involved in the coup. 

However, Trujillo established the La 42, a military police used to socially and politically terrorize his opponents 

and as a result wins the elections held that year after the opposition steps down. Trujillo is named president of 

the country. 

(1935 – 1945) – World War II 

(1936 – 1961) – The city of Santo Domingo was nearly destroyed by a hurricane in 1931. After 

rebuilding the capitol, the city was renamed Ciudad Trujillo. The name of the city was not changed back to 

Santo Domingo until after the assassination of the dictator. 

1937 – Trujillo orders the massacre of all the Haitians on the Massacre River near the border of Haiti 

and Dominican Republic as part of his anti-Haitian policy. 

1957 – Dr. Francois Duvalier also known as “Papa Doc” is elected president of Haiti. Duvalier 

proclaimed himself president for life in 1964. His administration is described as despotic and contributes 

to the breakdown of the education system in Haiti as well as the exodus of Haitian intellectuals. He died 

while still in power in 1971, succeeded by his son Jean-Claude Duvalier “Baby Doc.” 

1961 - May 30, Trujillo assassinated. 
177

Index of Earthquakes, by Island and by Year.

Hispaniola

1562, December 2 ................................................................................................................................................................................15

1615, September 7 ...............................................................................................................................................................................16

1665, January.......................................................................................................................................................................................17

1673, May 9 .........................................................................................................................................................................................18

1684, ....................................................................................................................................................................................................18

1691, ....................................................................................................................................................................................................19

1701, November 9................................................................................................................................................................................20

1713, ....................................................................................................................................................................................................21

1734, ....................................................................................................................................................................................................21

1751, December 1 to 1752, January.....................................................................................................................................................36

1751, May 15 .......................................................................................................................................................................................22

1751, May 25 .......................................................................................................................................................................................22

1751, November 1................................................................................................................................................................................29

1751, November 19..............................................................................................................................................................................30

1751, November 21..............................................................................................................................................................................31

1751, November 22..............................................................................................................................................................................35

1751, November 23 to November 30...................................................................................................................................................35

1751, October 12..................................................................................................................................................................................24

1751, October 18..................................................................................................................................................................................24

1751, October 28..................................................................................................................................................................................29

1751, October 29..................................................................................................................................................................................29

1751, October 8....................................................................................................................................................................................23

1751, September 15 .............................................................................................................................................................................22

1751, September 29 .............................................................................................................................................................................23

1753, 1754 and November (?) 1755.....................................................................................................................................................37

1764, March 8 ......................................................................................................................................................................................38

1765, September ..................................................................................................................................................................................38

1766, April 26 ......................................................................................................................................................................................39

1766, January 27 ..................................................................................................................................................................................38

1766, January 30 ..................................................................................................................................................................................38

1767, December 27 ..............................................................................................................................................................................39

1768, January 21 ..................................................................................................................................................................................39

1768, October 10..................................................................................................................................................................................40

1768, October 4....................................................................................................................................................................................40

1769, August 14...................................................................................................................................................................................40

1770, August........................................................................................................................................................................................49

1770, December 3 ................................................................................................................................................................................49

1770, January 20 and April 12 .............................................................................................................................................................40

1770, July.............................................................................................................................................................................................49

1770, June 3 .........................................................................................................................................................................................41

1771, July 10........................................................................................................................................................................................49

1771, October 3....................................................................................................................................................................................50

1776, August 4.....................................................................................................................................................................................50

1776, January 30 ..................................................................................................................................................................................50

1783, February 11 ................................................................................................................................................................................51

1784, July 25........................................................................................................................................................................................51

1784, July 29........................................................................................................................................................................................52

1785, January 10 ..................................................................................................................................................................................52

1786, December...................................................................................................................................................................................52

1818, December 20 ..............................................................................................................................................................................53

1818, November 20..............................................................................................................................................................................53

1825, November 19..............................................................................................................................................................................54

1829, March 31 ....................................................................................................................................................................................54

1830, April 14 ......................................................................................................................................................................................55

1830, March 29 to March 30................................................................................................................................................................54

1840, September 6 ...............................................................................................................................................................................56

1841, April 13 ......................................................................................................................................................................................56

1842, May 7 .........................................................................................................................................................................................56
178

1842, May 7 to June 28........................................................................................................................................................................67

1843, February 22 and March 22 .........................................................................................................................................................68

1846, September 15 .............................................................................................................................................................................69

1846, September 16 .............................................................................................................................................................................69

1846, September 18 .............................................................................................................................................................................69

1849, June (?).......................................................................................................................................................................................69

1852, April 8 ........................................................................................................................................................................................70

1852, August 18...................................................................................................................................................................................70

1852, August 19...................................................................................................................................................................................71

1852, August 28...................................................................................................................................................................................71

1852, November 25..............................................................................................................................................................................72

1853, September 11 .............................................................................................................................................................................72

1855, August 26...................................................................................................................................................................................72

1855, July 8..........................................................................................................................................................................................72

1860, April 8 ........................................................................................................................................................................................73

1860, April 9 to May 5.........................................................................................................................................................................76

1860, December 1 ................................................................................................................................................................................77

1861, April 8 ........................................................................................................................................................................................77

1863, August 22...................................................................................................................................................................................77

1864, April 20 ......................................................................................................................................................................................78

1864, February 17 ................................................................................................................................................................................78

1864, June 1 .........................................................................................................................................................................................78

1864, May 19 .......................................................................................................................................................................................78

1864, May 21 .......................................................................................................................................................................................78

1866, February 14 ................................................................................................................................................................................79

1867, December to January 1868.........................................................................................................................................................79

1878, August........................................................................................................................................................................................79

1881, August 19...................................................................................................................................................................................79

1884, September 15 .............................................................................................................................................................................80

1886, October.......................................................................................................................................................................................80

1887, January.......................................................................................................................................................................................81

1887, September 15 .............................................................................................................................................................................81

1887, September 22 .............................................................................................................................................................................81

1887, September 23 .............................................................................................................................................................................82

1887, September 23 (foreshock?) ........................................................................................................................................................81

1887, September 23 to October 4.........................................................................................................................................................86

1889, March 28 ....................................................................................................................................................................................87

1889, November 6................................................................................................................................................................................87

1890, August 15...................................................................................................................................................................................88

1890, July (late) ...................................................................................................................................................................................88

1890, July 3..........................................................................................................................................................................................88

1890, March 13 ....................................................................................................................................................................................88

1897, December 29 ..............................................................................................................................................................................89

1897, December 29 to January 25, 1898..............................................................................................................................................92

1897, October 29..................................................................................................................................................................................88

1898, July 11........................................................................................................................................................................................93

1902, January 5 ....................................................................................................................................................................................95

1903, August 16...................................................................................................................................................................................95

1905, April 4 ........................................................................................................................................................................................96

1905, October 12..................................................................................................................................................................................96

1905, October 13..................................................................................................................................................................................97

1905, October 14..................................................................................................................................................................................97

1905, October 15..................................................................................................................................................................................98

1906, August 3...................................................................................................................................................................................101

1906, February 8 ..................................................................................................................................................................................98

1906, July 20......................................................................................................................................................................................100

1906, June 15 .....................................................................................................................................................................................100

1906, June 22 .....................................................................................................................................................................................100

1906, May 19 .......................................................................................................................................................................................99

1906, October 16................................................................................................................................................................................101

1907, April 19 ....................................................................................................................................................................................102

1907, April 30 ....................................................................................................................................................................................102

1907, January 24 ................................................................................................................................................................................101

1907, January 25 ................................................................................................................................................................................101
179

1907, March 11 ..................................................................................................................................................................................102

1907, May 3 .......................................................................................................................................................................................102

1907, May 9 .......................................................................................................................................................................................103

1908, April 8 ......................................................................................................................................................................................104

1908, August 17.................................................................................................................................................................................104

1908, August 28.................................................................................................................................................................................103

1908, May 12 .....................................................................................................................................................................................104

1908, May 25 .....................................................................................................................................................................................104

1908, October 25................................................................................................................................................................................105

1908, October 28................................................................................................................................................................................105

1908, September 28 ...........................................................................................................................................................................104

1909, April 1 ......................................................................................................................................................................................106

1909, April 10 ...................................................................................................................................................................................106

1909, April 2 ......................................................................................................................................................................................106

1909, April 6 ......................................................................................................................................................................................106

1909, August 17.................................................................................................................................................................................107

1909, August 2...................................................................................................................................................................................107

1909, March 31 ..................................................................................................................................................................................105

1909, November 11............................................................................................................................................................................107

1909, October 31................................................................................................................................................................................107

1910, August 3...................................................................................................................................................................................110

1910, August 4...................................................................................................................................................................................112

1910, February 10 ..............................................................................................................................................................................108

1910, February 3 ................................................................................................................................................................................108

1910, May 11 .....................................................................................................................................................................................108

1911, October 6..................................................................................................................................................................................113

1911, October 6 to March 5, 1912 .....................................................................................................................................................121

1912, July 20......................................................................................................................................................................................122

1912, September 6 .............................................................................................................................................................................123

1912, September 6 to September 13 ..................................................................................................................................................125

1916, April 24 ....................................................................................................................................................................................126

1922, January 15 ................................................................................................................................................................................128

1922, November 4..............................................................................................................................................................................130

1943, July 29......................................................................................................................................................................................131

1946, August 4...................................................................................................................................................................................134

1952, October 28................................................................................................................................................................................143

1953, February 26 ..............................................................................................................................................................................147

1953, January 25 ................................................................................................................................................................................146

Lesser Antilles

1690, April 5 ......................................................................................................................................................................................154

1843, February 8 ................................................................................................................................................................................156

1974, October 8..................................................................................................................................................................................168

Puerto Rico

1785, July 11......................................................................................................................................................................................149

1787, May 2 .......................................................................................................................................................................................151
180

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accessed August 22, 2011, at 

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170–175.

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October 8, 1974: Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, v. 65, no. 6, p. 1553–1573.

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191

Appendix

Additional Material 

Quoted text extracted from de Utrera (1995, p. 17–18) explaining that the true date of the “1564” earthquake is 

actually December 2, 1562, based on evidence from contemporary sources.

“Que el terremoto que hizo que dieran por el suelo las ciudades de Santiago de los Caballeros y 

Concepción de la Vega acaeció el año 1564. - García pone la fecha del sábado 20 de Abril, según unos, y la de 2 

de Noviembre, según otros [Gracia, 1900; insertado por los autores]. Como el 20 de Abril y el 2 de Noviembre 

caen siempre, en un mismo año, en día de la semana del mismo nombre, parece que hay acierto siquiera en el 

año comúnmente recibido por todos, aunque no ha faltado quien diga que como de esto no hay otra noticia, sino 

que así lo escribió Echagoian al rey, y fue coetáneo, debemos atenernos a la autoridad del mismo. Atengámonos 

a Echagoian, pero no por su testimonio único y personal, porque en el Archivo de indias se hallan los papeles 

siguientes: Carta del licenciado Herrera a Su Majestad, en su Real Consejo de Indias, sobre diversas materias y 

entre ellas noticias del terremoto ocurrido el día 2 de Diciembre anterior; tiene la fecha de 16 de Febrero de 

1563. Otra carta del 13 de Febrero de l563 suscrita por los licenciados Herrera y Echagoian y el doctor Cáceres 

a Su Majestad, en su Real Consejo de Indias, sobre el temblor de tierra sucedido el día 2 de Diciembre anterior 

de ocho a nueve de la noche, que ocasionó la calda de la Iglesia Catedral de la Vega. Otra carta del Cabildo 

eclesiástico de la Concepción a S. M. en su Real Consejo de Indias, sobre los destrozos hechos por el temblor 

de tierra del día 2 de Diciembre de 1562, y es carta que tiene la fecha de 6 de Octubre de 1563. Como se ve, 

esto no requiere corroboración; con todo, aquí se da para que sea cierto que lo que abunda no daña. En 1575 

hicieron los dominicos de Puerto Plata una petición de socorro para su iglesia maltrecha, y en la información, 

que se hizo, habla una pregunta, la cuarta, escrita como sigue: ‘ IIII. Iten, si saben que después que se boluio 

[sic] a reedificar (el monasterio) y hauer [sic] hecho en el muchos costos, se boluio [sic] a caer el dormitorio del 

dicho monasterio de un temblor de tierra que ubo [sic] el año de sesenta y dos...’ y los testigos llamados y 

rogados depusieron que ‘ dicho convento se cayo parte del, porque fue parte del dormitorio con el temblor de la 

tierra que la pregunta dize [sic] que ubo [sic] en esta ysla [sic] el año que la pregunta dize [sic], y hasta oy [sic] 

dia se esta caydo [sic]. ’ ”

Translation by C. Flores: [That the earthquake that threw to the ground the cities of Santiago de los 

Caballeros and Concepcion de la Vega occurred in the year 1564. – Garcia attributes the date to be either 

Saturday April 20 according to some or November 2 according to others. [Garcia, 1900; inserted by the 

authors]. Since November 2 and April 20 always fall on the same year and on the same named day of the week, 

there seems to be, to get right at least, the year which is commonly accepted by everyone. Even though, as is the 

case, there is no lack of persons saying that no other information exists and that this is how it was written by 

Echagoian to the king who was a contemporary and we must therefore abide by his authority similarly. Let us 

abide to Echagoian but not by his single and personal testimony because in the Archive of the Indies we find the 

following papers: Letter from the honorable Herrera to His Majesty, in the Real Council of the Indies, over 

various matters and among them news of an earthquake that occurred December 2 of the year before; which is 

dated February 16, 1563. Another letter dated February 13, 1563, signed by the Honorable Herrera, the 

honorable Echagoian, and by the doctor Caceres to His Majesty, in the Real Council of de Indies, about the 

earthquake that occurred on December 2 of the year before, between eight and nine at night, which resulted in 

the fall of the church cathedral in la Vega. Another letter from the ecclesiastical Council from Conception de la 

Vega to His Majesty, in the Real Council of de Indies, over the destruction caused by the earthquake of 

December 2, 1562, and this is a letter dated October 6, 1563. We see that this does not require corroboration; 

with everything shown here given to be true, that which is plentiful does not harm. In 1575 the Dominican friars 

in Puerto Plata made a petition to help their battered church and among the information that was made available 

was a fourth question, and was written as follows: “ IIII. Item, You do know that after it (the monastery) was 

again rebuilt and after having cost so much, the dormitory of the before mentioned monastery fell again from an 

earthquake that occurred in the year of sixty-two * * *,” and the named witnesses begged and testified that “part 
192

of the named monastery fell because it was part of the dormitory due to the earthquake that the question names 

that occurred on this island in the before mentioned year that the question names and up until now is still on the 

ground.”]
193

Geographic locations used in the catalog for the Northern Caribbean.

Table 3. List of Locations

Tables are ordered from West to East and grouped by country or territory. For regions or large cities, a specific landmark is listed, and 

for small islands, the island center is also listed. 

Jamaica

Longitude Latitude City/town name Island name

-77.6575 18.4928 Falmouth Jamaica

-76.7909 17.9840 Kingston Jamaica

-76.9525 17.9943 Spanish Town (La Vega Cathedral) Jamaica

Cuba

Longitude Latitude City/town name Island name

-74.4963 20.3459 Baracoa Cuba

-76.6501 20.3734 Bayamo Cuba

-76.4736 20.5584 Cristo Cautu Cuba

-75.2162 20.1419 Guantanamo Cuba

-76.2579 20.8854 Holguin Cuba

-77.1199 20.3457 Manzanillo Cuba

-75.8296 20.0209 Santiago de Cuba Cuba

Bahamas

Longitude Latitude City/town name Island name

-73.6741 20.9335 Matthew Town (lighthouse) Great Inagua

-71.1462 21.4674 Cockburn Town Grand Turks Island

Haiti

Longitude Latitude City/town name Island name

-75.0128 18.4018 Navassa Island (island center) Navassa Island

-72.3197 19.6803 Acul du Nord Hispaniola

-72.8673 18.8365 Anse-a-Galets Gonave Island

-73.3447 18.5028 Anse-a-Veau Hispaniola

-74.4519 18.4850 Anse d’Hainault Hispaniola

-73.3971 18.2816 Aquin Hispaniola

-72.5126 18.7701 Arcahaie Hispaniola

-73.4330 18.3786 Asile Hispaniola

-72.7558 18.1819 Bainet Hispaniola

-73.6387 18.4829 Baraderes Hispaniola

-72.8024 19.7799 Bassin-Bleu Hispaniola

-72.4308 19.8144 Bayeux Hispaniola

-72.5230 19.8463 Borgne Hispaniola

-73.3758 18.4657 Brossard Hispaniola
194

Haiti

Longitude Latitude City/town name Island name

-72.2006 19.7616 Cap Haitien Hispaniola

-72.4105 18.5528 Carrefour Hispaniola

-73.6552 18.2992 Cavaillon Hispaniola

-72.3953 18.2311 Cayes de Jacmel Hispaniola

-71.7894 19.1634 Cerca-La-Source Hispaniola

-74.1657 18.2746 Chardonnieres Hispaniola

-73.8890 18.5671 Corail Hispaniola

-72.2272 18.5758 Croix de Bouquets Hispaniola

-72.2808 18.6042 Cul-de-Sac Hispaniola

-74.4222 18.5605 Dame-Marie Hispaniola

-72.2403 19.5257 Dondon Hispaniola

-71.8397 19.6668 Fort Liberte Hispaniola

-72.3062 18.4165 Furcy Hispaniola

-72.0630 18.5331 Ganthier Hispaniola

-72.1892 18.4909 Grande Riviere Hispaniola

-72.1695 19.5772 Grande Riviere du Nord Hispaniola

-72.7709 18.4256 Grand Goave (cemetery) Hispaniola

-72.6929 19.4458 Gonaives Hispaniola

-72.5290 18.5379 Gressier Hispaniola

-72.6836 19.6699 Gros-Morne Hispaniola

-72.2004 18.8160 Haut Saut-D’Eau Hispaniola

-72.0107 19.1453 Hinche Hispaniola

-73.0366 18.8388 Ile de la Gonave (island center) Hispaniola

-72.8043 20.0507 Ile de la Tortue (island center) Hispaniola

-74.4673 18.4588 Ile Pierre Joseph (near Anse d’Hainault) Pierre Joseph

-72.5345 18.2359 Jacmel Hispaniola

-74.1145 18.6446 Jeremie Hispaniola

-71.9362 18.8303 Las Cahobas Hispaniola

-72.6334 18.5111 Leogane Hispaniola

-73.7500 18.1945 Les Cayes Hispaniola

-72.4025 19.7066 Limbe Hispaniola

-72.1260 19.6688 Limonade Hispaniola

-72.1395 19.1747 Maissade Hispaniola

-72.6101 18.5383 Mariani Hispaniola

-72.3459 19.5091 Marmelade Hispaniola

-73.0861 18.4423 Miragoane Hispaniola

-72.1040 18.8336 Mirebalais Hispaniola

-73.3745 19.8052 Mole-St. Nicolas Hispaniola

-71.6507 19.8474 Monte Cristi Hispaniola

-72.8344 18.4395 Mont Tapion Hispaniola

-74.2572 18.5613 Moron Hispaniola

-71.7223 19.5501 Ouanaminthe Hispaniola

-72.2864 18.5107 Petionville Hispaniola

-72.8668 18.4315 Petit Goave Hispaniola

-73.2446 18.4770 Petit Riviere de Nippes Hispaniola
195

Haiti

Longitude Latitude City/town name Island name

-73.5079 18.5264 Petit Trou de Nippes Hispaniola

-72.5504 19.6652 Pilate Hispaniola

-72.6933 19.2464 Plain Artibonite Hispaniola

-72.4685 19.5974 Plaisance Hispaniola

-72.9872 19.6123 Port-a-Piment Hispaniola

-72.3400 18.5400 Port-au-Prince Hispaniola

-72.3388 18.5432 Port-au-Prince (Presidential Palace) Hispaniola

-72.8370 19.9408 Port-de-Paix Hispaniola

-72.4291 19.7512 Port Margot Hispaniola

-73.9277 18.0938 Port Salud Hispaniola

-72.1575 19.6973 Quartier Morin Hispaniola

-72.0683 18.2370 Sale-Trou (or Saltrou) Hispaniola

-72.2186 19.6047 Sans-Souci Palace Hispaniola

-72.7239 19.9337 St. Louis du Nord Hispaniola

-73.5466 18.2630 St. Louis du Sud Hispaniola

-72.6978 19.1081 St. Marc Hispaniola

-72.3340 19.3708 St. Michel de l’Atalaye Hispaniola

-72.0984 18.3755 St. Michel du Sud Hispaniola

-72.7275 19.5622 Terre-Neuve Hispaniola

-72.0943 18.6519 Thomazeau Hispaniola

-74.3959 18.3242 Tiburon Hispaniola

-72.0223 19.6186 Trou-du-Nord Hispaniola

-72.3297 18.5324 Turgeau Hispaniola

-71.9207 19.4350 Valliere Hispaniola

Dominican Republic

Longitude Latitude City/town name Island name

-70.8305 19.6717 Altamira Hispaniola

-69.8605 19.1876 Arenoso Hispaniola

-70.7291 18.4534 Azua (modern, after 1751) Hispaniola

-70.8359 18.3504 Azua (old, before 1751) Hispaniola

-70.3320 18.2799 Bani Hispaniola

-71.7074 19.0793 Banica Hispaniola

-71.0925 18.2051 Barahona Hispaniola

-68.4518 18.7169 Bavaro (hotel) Hispaniola

-69.6370 18.7520 Bayaguana Hispaniola

-70.4116 18.9427 Bonao Hispaniola

-69.7923 18.9458 Boya Hispaniola

-70.1982 18.7060 Buenaventura Hispaniola

-69.2602 19.3204 Cabo Cabrón Hispaniola

-70.0295 19.2089 Castilla Hispaniola

-70.5442 19.2937 Concepcion de La Vega (ruins) Hispaniola
196

Dominican Republic

Longitude Latitude City/town name Island name

-70.1531 19.0577 Cotui Hispaniola

-71.3984 19.6687 Guayubin Hispaniola

-69.2566 18.7622 Hato Mayor (Mercedes Church) Hispaniola

-68.7168 18.6154 Higuey Hispaniola

-71.7151 18.4211 Laguna Icanoa Hispaniola

-68.9663 18.4238 La Romana (church) Hispaniola

-70.5327 19.2239 La Vega (modern , cathedral) Hispaniola

-71.0276 19.6400 Maizal Hispaniola

-71.0735 19.5539 Mao Hispaniola

-69.8255 19.3546 Matancitas (Matanzas) Hispaniola

-70.5246 19.3929 Moca Hispaniola

-69.7845 18.8103 Monte Plata Hispaniola

-69.8465 19.3759 Nagua Hispaniola

-70.8751 19.5625 Naverette Hispaniola

-71.4178 18.4832 Neyba Hispaniola

-70.5068 18.5471 Ocoa (Maniel) Hispaniola

-70.1099 19.3929 Pimentel Hispaniola

-70.6937 19.7971 Puerto Plata Hispaniola

-69.3847 19.0648 Sabana de la Mar Hispaniola

-70.4180 19.3796 Salcedo Hispaniola

-69.3390 19.2061 Samana Hispaniola

-70.1092 18.4135 San Cristobal Hispaniola

-70.2593 19.2969 San Franciso de Macoris Hispaniola

-71.2325 18.8074 San Juan de la Maguana Hispaniola

-69.3112 18.4525 San Pedro de Macoris (cathedral) Hispaniola

-69.3112 18.4526 San Pedro de Macoris (cemetery) Hispaniola

-69.6131 19.2279 Sánchez Hispaniola

-70.5468 19.2797 Santa Cerro Hispaniola

-70.7075 19.4502 Santiago de los Cabelleros Hispaniola

-69.8840 18.4734 Santo Domingo (Catedral de St. Maria) Hispaniola

-69.8877 18.4722 Santo Domingo (Colonial) Hispaniola

-69.8978 18.4744 Santo Domingo (National Palace) Hispaniola

-69.8940 18.4754 Santo Domingo (Iglesia San Carlos) Hispaniola

-69.0358 18.7625 Seibo, Santa Cruz del Hispaniola

-69.0364 18.7648 Seybo (modern) Hispaniola

-70.7289 18.5090 Sierra Viajama Hispaniola

-70.7816 19.4521 St. Yague Hispaniola

-70.6150 19.4865 Tamboril Hispaniola

-69.9112 19.1823 Villa Rivas Hispaniola

-70.9246 18.6107 Yayas de Viajama Hispaniola
197

United States, Puerto Rico

Longitude Latitude City/town name Island name

-67.1880 18.3796 Aguada Puerto Rico

-67.1540 18.4275 Aguadilla Puerto Rico

-66.2664 18.1391 Aibonito Puerto Rico

-67.1414 18.2885 Anasco Puerto Rico

-66.7321 18.4636 Arecibo Puerto Rico

-66.0614 17.9665 Arroyo Puerto Rico

-66.1616 18.3809 Bayamon Puerto Rico

-67.1461 18.0871 Cabo Rojo Puerto Rico

-66.0347 18.2344 Caguas Puerto Rico

-66.1659 18.1127 Cayey Puerto Rico

-66.1609 18.1757 Cidra Puerto Rico

-66.3565 18.0807 Coamo Puerto Rico

-65.2828 18.3207 Culebra (island center) Culebra

-65.3010 18.3031 Culebra Culebra

-65.4732 18.0980 Esperanza Vieques

-65.6382 18.3361 Fajardo Puerto Rico

-66.9085 17.9724 Guanica Puerto Rico

-66.6702 18.1255 Guaraguaos Puerto Rico

-66.1137 17.9832 Guayama Puerto Rico

-66.7916 18.0194 Guayanilla Puerto Rico

-66.1121 18.3579 Guaynabo Puerto Rico

-67.0250 18.5017 Isabela Puerto Rico

-66.5992 17.9868 Hacienda Santa Cruz Puerto Rico

-66.4047 17.9664 Hacienda Santa Isabel Puerto Rico

-65.8265 18.1502 Humacao Puerto Rico

-66.5062 18.0537 Juana Diaz Puerto Rico

-65.9213 18.2284 Juncos Puerto Rico

-66.8777 18.2950 Lares Puerto Rico

-65.8775 18.4300 Loisa Puerto Rico

-66.4842 18.4314 Manati Puerto Rico

-66.9799 18.1808 Maricao Puerto Rico

-67.1407 18.2009 Mayaguez Puerto Rico

-67.8923 18.0860 Mona Island Mona

-65.7350 18.2119 Naguabo Puerto Rico

-66.6207 17.9811 Playa Puerto Rico

-66.6141 18.0115 Ponce Puerto Rico

-66.0499 18.3994 Rio Piedras Puerto Rico

-65.6120 18.2289 Roosevelt Roads Puerto Rico

-66.2989 17.9774 Salinas Puerto Rico

-67.0438 18.0819 San German Puerto Rico

-66.1057 18.4665 San Juan Puerto Rico

-66.9911 18.3383 San Sebastian Puerto Rico

-65.4321 18.1524 Santa Maria Vieques

-66.0720 18.4487 Santurce (Sagrado Corazon Church) Puerto Rico

-66.2550 18.4425 Toa Alta Puerto Rico
198

United States, Puerto Rico

Longitude Latitude City/town name Island name

-66.3876 18.4452 Vega Baja Puerto Rico

-65.4248 18.1281 Vieques (island center) Vieques

-65.4449 18.1474 Vieques Vieques

United States, Virgin Islands

Longitude Latitude City/town name Island name

-64.7613 17.7377 St. Croix (island center) St. Croix

-64.7798 17.7066 Anguilla St. Croix

-64.7032 17.7467 Christiansted St. Croix

-64.8815 17.7125 Frederiksted St. Croix

-64.9299 18.3500 St. Thomas (island center) St. Thomas

-64.9309 18.3420 Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas

-64.9343 18.3280 Hassel Island St. Thomas

-64.9269 18.3343 St. Thomas Harbour St. Thomas

-64.9533 18.3195 Water Island St. Thomas

-64.7533 18.3435 St. John (island center) St. John

-64.7939 18.3312 Cruz Bay St. John

United Kingdom, British Virgin Islands

Longitude Latitude City/town name Island name

-64.6166 18.3167 Norman Island (island center) Norman Island

-64.5274 18.3724 Salt Island (island center) Salt Island

-64.6344 18.4295 Tortola (island center) Tortola

-64.5704 18.4384 Parham Town Tortola

-64.6129 18.4247 Road Harbour Tortola

-64.6223 18.4290 Road Town Tortola

-64.5717 18.3522 PeterIsland (island center) Peter Island

-64.5089 18.3822 Cooper Island (island center) Cooper Island

-64.4022 18.4797 Virgin Gorda (island center) Virgin Gorda

-64.4341 18.4496 Spanish Town Virgin Gorda

-64.3211 18.7280 Anegada (island center) Anegada

-63.4258 18.5889 Sombrero (island center) Sombrero
199

Lesser Antilles

Longitude Latitude City/town name Country Island name

-63.2312 17.6392 Saba Island (island center) Netherlands Saba Island

-63.0538 18.0642 St. Martin (island center) Netherlands/French St. Martin/Sint Maarten

-63.0829 18.0729 Marigo French St. Martin/Sint Maarten

-63.0543 18.0258 Fort William Netherlands St. Martin/Sint Maarten

-63.0509 18.2216 Anguilla (island center) United Kingdom Anguilla

-62.9765 17.4890 St. Eustatius (island center) Netherlands St. Eustatius

-62.9859 17.4816 Oranjestad Netherlands St. Eustatius

-62.7494 17.3174 St. Kitts (island center) Saint Kitts and Nevis St. Kitts

-62.7147 17.2969 Basseterre Saint Kitts and Nevis St. Kitts

-62.8031 17.3232 Middle Island Saint Kitts and Nevis St. Kitts

-62.5894 17.1541 Nevis (island center) Saint Kitts and Nevis Nevis

-62.6267 17.1415 Charlestown Saint Kitts and Nevis Nevis

-62.8249 17.8972 St. Barthelemy (island center France St. Barthelemy

-62.8522 17.8964 Gustavia France St. Barthelemy

-61.7904 17.6357 Barbuda (island center) Antigua and Barbuda Barbuda

-61.8251 17.6410 Codrington Antigua and Barbuda Barbuda

-61.8003 17.0864 Antigua (island center) Antigua and Barbuda Antigua

-61.8456 17.1176 St. Johns Antigua and Barbuda Antigua

-62.3414 16.9419 Redonda (island center) Antigua and Barbuda Redonda

-62.1899 16.7376 Montserrat (island center) United Kingdom Montserrat

-62.1548 16.7467 Bethel United Kingdom Montserrat

-62.2126 16.7056 Plymouth United Kingdom Montserrat

-61.5443 16.2539 Guadeloupe (island center) France Guadeloupe

-61.7281 15.9960 Basse Terre France Guadeloupe

-61.5342 16.2415 Pointe-A-Pitre France Guadeloupe

-61.2626 15.9396 Marie Galante (island center) France Marie Galante

-61.3365 15.4259 Dominica (island center) Dominica Dominica

-60.9988 14.6680 Martinique (island center) France Martinique

-61.0728 14.6091 Fort de France France Martinique

-61.1673 14.8097 Mount Pelee France Martinique

-61.1153 14.8685 Basse-Pointe France Martinique

-60.9719 13.9003 St. Lucia (island center) St. Lucia St. Lucia

-60.9905 14.0089 Castries St. Lucia St. Lucia

-59.5514 13.1556 Barbados (island center) Barbados Barbados

-59.6187 13.0985 Bridgetown (St. Mary Church) Barbados Barbados

-59.6141 13.0972 Bridgetown (Parliament) Barbados Barbados
For more information concerning this report, contact

Director

U.S. Geological Survey 

Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

384 Woods Hole Road

Quissett Campus

Woods Hole, MA 02543-1598

WHSC_science_director@usgs.gov

508-548-8700 or 508-457-2200

or visit our Web site at

http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov
Flores and others— Accounts of Damage from Historical Earthquakes in the Northeastern Caribbean, to Aid in the Determination of their Location and Intensity Magnitude—Open-File Report 2011-1133