Did your chair shake? Did you feel a brief vibration around midday today? You were not alone.
Shortly after 12:23 p.m. this afternoon, residents living and working around Youyi Building, Waterloo Street and Wellington Street in central Freetown reported feeling a light earth tremor.
The shaking came moments after a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck far offshore, according to data from the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).
Where was the earthquake?
Not in Sierra Leone.
The quake occurred deep in the Atlantic Ocean, along the Central Mid-Atlantic Ridge – the underwater mountain range where the African and South American plates slowly pull apart.
The epicenter was about 1,195 kilometres south-southwest of Freetown and 1,161 kilometres from Bonthe, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres. It happened in a remote, uninhabited part of the ocean.
Because of that distance, no tsunami warning was issued and there is no threat to the Sierra Leonean coast.
Why was it felt in Freetown then?
Sierra Leone sits well away from major active fault zones and major earthquakes here are extremely rare.
However, seismologists explain that a strong enough quake in the ocean can send seismic waves over very long distances. In some cases, people – especially those inside multi-storey buildings, offices, or quiet rooms – can feel a faint, brief shaking.
That appears to be what happened today in central Freetown.
Is there any damage?
No. As at press time, there have been no reports of injuries or damage to buildings anywhere in Freetown or the rest of the country. Reports from Waterloo Street and Wellington Street describe it as a light, brief vibration that was enough to get people’s attention.
Authorities have not issued any emergency advisory, but as always, residents are advised to stay calm and alert.
