Above: a map of the quake (Graphic: USGS)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck near the coast of Venezuela on Friday evening and was felt in Trinidad and Tobago, according to the United States Geological Survey.

There were reports of moderate shaking across the region, including Trinidad, Guyana, Grenada Venezuela.

The University of the West Indies rated the quake at a magnitude of 6.4, although UWI frequently has readings higher than those of the USGS.

The tremor’s epicentre was about 33 kilometres north of Gueiria, Venezuela, and about 86 kilometres west-northwest of Port of Spain, according to the United States Geological Survey.

It occurred at around 10:10 PM in Trinidad at a depth of about 79 kilometres, according to the USGS.

It was the strongest earthquake in the Caribbean region in several years.

In a statement, Trinidad’s Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management said there were no reports of damages thus far. There have been reports of issues with the power grid, however.

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