Major earthquake in the Gulf of America sends shockwaves to Florida

A strong earthquake that struck the Gulf of America on Monday, sending shockwaves hundreds of miles away into Florida.

A 6.1 magnitude was detected west-northwest of Mantua, Cuba, with shaking reported as far north as Tallahassee.

The Gulf has historically experienced relatively few powerful earthquakes. Before this event, the strongest quakes recorded in the region were magnitudes 5.8 and 5.9, both in 2006.

Earthquakes exceeding magnitude 5 are uncommon in the Gulf, making a magnitude 6.1 tremor one of the strongest ever documented there and virtually unprecedented in the region's recorded history.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said it was the second largest on record.

Floridians shared their surprise online, with one X user posting: 'I just felt an earthquake in Florida… what in the world.'

Another said: 'Our office building shook and scared us. We thought it was a sinkhole.'

The shallow earthquake, which struck about 16 miles beneath the surface, was the strongest ever recorded near Florida, though officials said it posed no tsunami threat.

The USGS has received more than 4,000 reports of shaking from people in Cuba and up into Florida since the earthquake hit at 2pm ET.

In Seminole County, officials said: 'Multiple calls have been received at the Emergency Communication Centers (9-1-1). Seminole County employees report feeling the tremor in multiple buildings. Emergency Management is coordinating with healthcare facilities and other critical infrastructure.

'Fire department has responded to at least one building evacuated for safety. Seminole County Facilities and Buildings are mobilizing.'

Citrus County officials said emergency management teams are closely monitoring the situation alongside state and federal agencies and will issue updates if conditions change.

Several buildings in the Miami area were evacuated due to shaking.

Even Disney World reported shaking, saying: 'An earthquake was felt this afternoon in Central Florida, including Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort.

'There are no reports of injuries or major damage. Our teams are continuing to monitor the situation.'

USGS Earthquake Hazards Program spokesperson Steven Sobieszczyk said in an email to local Spectrum News: 'Given the size of the quake, we would expect further aftershocks over the coming days.'

One local in Panama City shared on Facebook: 'We were on the 3rd floor of a building and felt it for several seconds. Very strange feeling.'

Others said they felt it in St Petersburg and Clearwater, where one resident on the fourth floor of their condo said the 'couch started shaking.'

Cuba experienced a major 6.8 magnitude earthquake in 2024, which was also felt in Florida.