AN earthquake, measuring 4.6 on the European macroseismic scale, shook the eastern section of Jamaica early yesterday, but apparently caused no damage or injuries.

The epicentre of the quake was located off the eastern coast of the island at an estimated depth of 10 kilometres. It lasted for several seconds.

According to the earthquake unit at the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies, the earthquake, at 1:22 am, was felt in the eastern parishes, including St Andrew, Portland and St Catherine

The quake, the UWI seismologists say, appeared to have been associated with the Plantain Garden Fault in St Thomas which runs along the Plantain Garden River.

After the initial earthquake, a tremor of magnitude 2.2 was felt at 1:35 am. Its epicentre was in north-east St Andrew.

This were followed at 3:58 am and 3:59 am by tremors, with magnitude 4.2 and 3.0, respectively, on the macroseismic scale.

The epicentres of both these quakes were in north-west St Thomas.

"I can't recall any activity on the Plantain Gardens Fault in recent times," said UWI seismologist, Margaret Grandison. "It seems the fault had a lot of strain built up over the years and some of it was finally released."

She did not expect anymore activity shortly of the magnitudes of those from early Saturday, but stressed that there were no assurances.

"Anything can happen," Grandison said.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) said it had no reports of damage but cautioned the public to be prepared in the eventuality of further after shocks.

This earthquake follows the quake in the Blue Mountain area in January of this year.

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