A magnitude 6.3 intraplate earthquake near Les Saintes caused one death and moderate damage across Guadeloupe and Dominica, with an associated small tsunami.
Key Facts
- Moment Magnitude
- 6.3
- Max Intensity (EMS)
- VIII (Heavily damaging)
- Deaths
- 1
- Injuries
- 13
- Displaced persons
- 40 people
- Fault type
- Intraplate normal fault
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Although the event occurred in the vicinity of the Lesser Antilles subduction zone, the earthquake was an intraplate, normal fault rupture rather than a subduction interface event. Tectonic stresses within the Caribbean plate triggered the shallow rupture beneath the Îles des Saintes, a group of small islands south of Guadeloupe.
At 07:41 local time on November 21, 2004, a moment magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck near the Îles des Saintes. The shock reached a maximum European macroseismic intensity of VIII, shaking Guadeloupe and neighbouring Dominica. A small, nondestructive tsunami was generated, and unusual effects were observed at a volcanic lake on Dominica.
The earthquake killed one person, injured 13, and left 40 homeless, with overall damage assessed as moderate. A storm on the day of the event complicated measurement of the tsunami's run-up and inundation. Three months later a significant aftershock caused additional damage to already weakened structures in the affected area.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 1 (earthquake)