Punta Cana, Dominican Republic — A magnitude 4.5 earthquake struck in the Atlantic Ocean off the east coast of the Dominican Republic early Sunday morning.

What happened:

The quake hit about 90 kilometers, or 56 miles, northeast of Punta Cana at 12:30 AM Central Time on Sunday, November 8, which was 2:30 AM local time in the Dominican Republic. The U.S. Geological Survey put the depth at about 30 kilometers, or 19 miles, below the surface. The quake was recorded by 30 seismic stations and has been reviewed by USGS seismologists.

Impacts:

The epicenter was offshore in the Atlantic, northeast of the resort city of Punta Cana. No reports of damage have come in so far, and the USGS has not received felt reports from the area. No tsunami was generated by the quake.

What to do:

If you feel shaking, drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy table or desk, and hold on until the shaking stops.

Stay away from windows, heavy furniture, and anything that could fall.

Check your home for hazards like gas leaks, broken glass, and cracks in walls before turning utilities back on.

Expect aftershocks. Smaller quakes can follow a quake like this one, so stay alert and be ready to drop, cover, and hold on again.

Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), November 8, 2026.