Climatologist Dale Destin is urging residents of Antigua and Barbuda to take tsunami awareness and preparedness seriously following a powerful earthquake that struck the country on Saturday morning, according to Antigua.news.
The earthquake hit at approximately 10:50 a.m. on May 16, registering magnitude 6.1 according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and magnitude 6.4 as recorded by the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre. The tremor was felt widely across the Northeastern Caribbean and ranks among the strongest earthquakes recorded near Antigua and Barbuda in modern history.
No deaths or major structural damage were immediately reported, though videos circulating on social media showed products falling from shelves in businesses and supermarkets as residents reacted with alarm.
In an analysis following the event, Destin warned that while Saturday's earthquake did not generate a tsunami, the incident should reinforce the need for public readiness. He noted that stronger earthquakes in the region have historically produced destructive consequences and stressed that preparedness remains critical.
Destin explained that Antigua and Barbuda sits within a tectonically active zone where the Atlantic Plate is forced beneath the Caribbean Plate, making earthquakes and volcanic activity a natural feature of the Eastern Caribbean landscape. Historical records underscore the region's vulnerability, including the devastating 1843 Antigua–Guadeloupe earthquake and a magnitude 7.5 earthquake northwest of Antigua in 1974.
The climatologist also highlighted the importance of recognising natural warning signs of a potential tsunami, including prolonged shaking, a sudden retreat of the sea, and unusual ocean activity. Residents in coastal areas, he said, should move inland or seek higher ground immediately if such signs are observed.
Destin stressed that awareness and timely action remain among the strongest safeguards against future disasters. Saturday's earthquake, he said, should serve not only as a moment of reflection but as a wake-up call for greater preparedness nationwide.
