Above: a map of the quake (graphic: United States Geological Survey)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

A 4.7-magnitude earthquake caused weak to light shaking across parts of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic on Thursday afternoon, according to data from the United States Geological Survey.

The quake, which struck at around 4:56 PM local time, occurred at a depth of around 48 kilometres.

Its epicentre was about 83 kilometres northeast of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and about 192 kilometres west-northwest of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

It was the latest moderately-strong quake in the region in the last few months, following a large 6.5-magnitude quake north of Puerto Rico earlier this year.

The Mona Passage area between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico is a major centre of seismic activity in the Caribbean region.

According to the USGS, reports of shaking were felt in cities including Ponce, Aguadila and San Juan in Puerto Rico (among others), along with Santo Domingo and Otra Banda in the Dominican Republic.

There were no reports of damage or injuries.