As it prepared for the potential devastation of an impending hurricane, the nation of Puerto Rico has been hit with an additional natural disaster in the form of a large earthquake.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake registered at a sizeable 6.0 magnitude on the Richter scale, with the epicenter being located just over 40 miles northwest of the island.
At least seven aftershocks were felt at over 4.0 magnitude in the hour following the earthquake – thankfully, however, no serious damage to infrastructure has been reported at this point, and no injuries have been logged.
“We hope everyone is well. … It is important to remain calm during these natural events to guarantee security,” Puerto Rico Gov. Wanda Vazquez tweeted Monday, according to ABC News.
The Puerto Rico government ordered a nationwide shutdown of schools on Tuesday in anticipation of Hurricane Karen, which has now been downgraded to a tropical storm. Though the threat to life has been lowered significantly, officials from both Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have continued to issue public safety warnings.
“Don’t take the storm lightly,” U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr. told CBS News. “It will start to throw massive rain.”
Indeed, a dramatic rescue occurred on the island of Vieques, with Puerto Rico’s National Guard completing a…
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