The University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre has confirmed that two significant earthquakes occurred roughly one hour apart on the morning of Monday, July 20, 2026. The tremors, which both occurred before 7:00 am, were felt across a wide geographic range, from San Fernando in southern Trinidad to Scarborough in Tobago.
First Earthquake: Magnitude 5.1
The initial seismic event occurred at 5:45 am local time with a magnitude of 5.1. According to UWI Seismic, the quake originated at a depth of 59 kilometres at latitude 11.35 degrees north and longitude 60.60 degrees west.
This first tremor was notably felt in the following locations:
- Scarborough, Tobago: 24 km north-east of the epicentre.
- Arima, Trinidad: 109 km north-east of the epicentre.
- Port of Spain, Trinidad: 126 km north-east of the epicentre.
Second Earthquake: Magnitude 5.0
Just over an hour later, at 6:55 am local time, a second earthquake struck with a magnitude of 5.0. This quake was deeper than the first, recorded at a depth of 80 kilometres. Its epicentre was located at latitude 10.97 degrees north and longitude 62.05 degrees west.
The second event was felt primarily in Trinidad, with reports from:
- Port of Spain: 69 km north-west of the epicentre.
- Arima: 93 km north-west of the epicentre.
- San Fernando: 103 km north-west of the epicentre.
Public Response
The UWI Seismic Research Centre is actively encouraging citizens who felt either or both of the tremors to share their experiences. Reports can be submitted through the centre’s official earthquake feedback portal at https://uwiseismic.com/connect/earthquake-feedback/.
