Photo: PEDRO PARDO / AFP / Getty Images
Residents in Southwestern Florida reported feeling an earthquake that struck just west of Cuba on Monday (June 8). According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake measured a magnitude of 6.1 and hit the southern Gulf. The quake occurred after 2 p.m. ET, with no immediate reports of damage or tsunami threats.
The epicenter of the earthquake was northwest of Cuba, but its tremors reached as far north as Central Florida. People in Orlando, Tampa, and even visitors at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista felt the quake. Linda Roy from Jensen Beach described the experience, saying, "My office chair started slightly wobbling, which lasted about seven seconds" (source: The Weather Network).
Earthquakes are rare in Florida due to its distance from tectonic plate boundaries. The nearest fault line is in the Caribbean Sea, north of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and south of Cuba toward Guatemala. Despite the rarity, the state's residents are reminded of the potential for seismic activity in the region.
The Florida Today earthquake database tracks seismic events and shows that Florida has experienced one earthquake so far this year. In contrast, states like Alaska and California have recorded over 19,000 earthquakes each in 2026.
While no damage has been reported, the event serves as a reminder of the geological activity in the Caribbean region. The Septentrional–Oriente fault zone, a major fault system near Cuba, has produced significant earthquakes in the past, including a magnitude 7.7 event in 2020 between Cuba and Jamaica (source: Local 10 News).