Small magnitude 3.2 quake hits 42 km south of San Juan, Puerto Rico after midnight

An earthquake of magnitude 3.2 occurred after midnight on Tuesday, December 16th, 2025, at 12:13 am local time near San Juan, San Juan Antiguo Barrio, Puerto Rico, as reported by the United States Geological Survey.
According to preliminary data, the quake was located at a moderately shallow depth of 31.29 km. The exact magnitude, epicenter, and depth of the quake might be revised within the next few hours or minutes as seismologists review data and refine their calculations, or as other agencies issue their report.
Our monitoring service identified a second report from The Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) which listed the quake at magnitude 3.2 as well. A third agency, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), reported the same quake at magnitude 3.2.
Towns or cities near the epicenter where the quake might have been felt as very weak shaking include Cayey (pop. 18,500) located 2 km from the epicenter, Cidra (pop. 5,100) 10 km away, Aibonito (pop. 8,900) 12 km away, Guayama (pop. 21,600) 13 km away, Comerio (pop. 4,600) 16 km away, Arroyo (pop. 7,500) 17 km away, Patillas (pop. 4,200) 18 km away, Barranquitas (pop. 3,000) 19 km away, and Salinas (pop. 6,400) 19 km away. In Aguas Buenas (pop. 4,600, 20 km away), Caguas (pop. 86,800, 20 km away), Coamo (pop. 11,900, 21 km away), San Lorenzo (pop. 9,400, 24 km away), Naranjito (pop. 2,000, 25 km away), Gurabo (pop. 9,000, 27 km away), Orocovis (pop. 940, 29 km away), Santa Isabel (pop. 7,300, 29 km away), Maunabo (pop. 2,200, 29 km away), Juncos (pop. 8,900, 30 km away), Bayamon (pop. 203,500, 34 km away), and San Juan (pop. 418,100, 42 km away), the quake was probably not felt.


Earthquake data:
Date & time: Dec 16, 2025 12:13 am (Puerto Rico time) local time (16 Dec 2025 04:13 GMT)
Magnitude: 3.2
Depth: 31.29 km
Epicenter latitude / longitude: 18.09°N / 66.16°W (Cayey Barrio-Pueblo, Cayey Municipio, Puerto Rico)
Primary data source: USGS
https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/earthquake/news/289527/Small-magnitude-32-quake-hits-42-km-south-of-San-Juan-Puerto-Rico-after-midnight-.html