Significant earthquakes of 1776

January 30, 1776 Earthquake: W, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic

January 30, 1776

An earthquake struck W, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic on January 30, 1776.

Map

Where it struck, with the other significant earthquakes within 200 km. Circles are sized and colored by magnitude; select one for its page.

The earthquake

Date
January 30, 1776
Place
W, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic
Tsunami
None recorded
Epicenter
19.000° N, 70.400° W

The toll

Damage
Moderate (about $1 to $5 million)

Where the literature gives no number, NCEI records a description on a scale of 1 to 4, printed here in its words. Damage is in millions of US dollars of the year of the event, not adjusted for inflation.

What the record says

NCEI’s account, from the sources it cites.

1776 Jan 30. Felt in the western part of Dominican Republic. In 1776 a very large earthquake occurred in the Dominican Republic which destroyed a great number of structures on the island. There was so much damage, a great epidemic followed. Considerable damage was done in western Puerto Rico but details were not given. (reference #1189)

1776 Jan 30. Given that there is no evidence that this event was mentioned in the reports of the government of colony of Santo Domingo to its European masters, one wonders if this event as important as suggested above. There seems a distinct possibility that it could be confused with the well-reported event of 1751. This event must be considered as dubious until supported by better evidence. (reference #14050)

Other significant earthquakes nearby

Within 200 km, the deadliest first.

More

Significant earthquakes of 1776The 1700sRecent earthquakes near hereThis day in weather history

Sources

Significant earthquakes from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Hazard Database, cited as NCEI/WDS, doi:10.7289/V5PN93H7. Public domain. Read 2026-09-24. NCEI earthquake 1425.