A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Cuba on Monday, shaking buildings across Florida and triggering emergency protocols in Mexico's Yucatán and Quintana Roo states. The tremor, which the US Geological Survey says is the second-largest on record in the Gulf of Mexico, was felt as far north as Tallahassee and caused evacuations in Orlando, where England's football team is based for a series of friendlies. No injuries or damage have been reported, according to local accounts, but social media videos showed furniture moving and buildings swaying.

A 6.1 tremor that broke a 145-year record

The earthquake's magnitude and location make it a statistical outlier . As the source report notes, the last comparable tremor in the region was a 6.0 magnitude quake near San Cristóbal, Cuba,in 1880. The US Geological Survey has designated this event the second-largest in Gulf of Mexico history, a rare occurrence for a basin not typically associated with strong seismic activity. The quake's epicenter, off Cuba's southern coast, sent shockwaves across hundreds of miles into Florida and Mexico, a testament to the geological forces at play in the Caribbean plate bounndary.

The fact that the tremor was widely felt—even at Disney World in Orlando—underscores its unusual reach. Floridians expressed surprise on social media, as the state is far more accustomed to hurricanes than earthquakes, according to the report . This seismic rarity has prompted geologists to examine whether the event signals a shift in regional tectonic activity or remains an isolated incident .

England's camp: From earthquake to shooting in one week

England's World Cup preparation has been punctuated by external shocks. The team, under manager Thomas Tuchel, has been based in West Palm Beach since June 1, and Monday's earthquake directly rattled their camp. The tremors were felt in their West Palm Beach location, and buildings in Orlando—where they are scheduled to play Costa Rica on Wednesday at Inter&Co Stadium—were evacuated. As the source reports, this comes just days after a shooting near England's Kansas training base left nine people injured, with the players expected to train just four miles from that site upon returning to Kansas City.

The convergence of these incidents has made the team's U.S. tour unusually chaotic . While neither event caused direct harm to the squad, the psychological and logistical disruption is notable. Tuchel's camp has already contended with thunderstorm forecasts for the Orlando match, adding another layer of unpredictability. the team's ability to maintain focus amid these external factors will be a test of their resilience.

Why no injuries were reported despite shaking at Disney World

Despite the quake's strength and widespread reach, local reports have not documented any damage or injuries. Emergency protocols were activated in Mexico's Yucatán and Quintana Roo states, but both governors reported no damage via social media , according to the source. The lack of casualties is likely due to the epicenter being offshore and the region's building codes, which are designed to withstand hurricanes rather than earthquakes. However, the absence of immediate harm does not rule out hidden structural issues or delayed effects.

The shaking at Disney World, a major tourist hub, drew particular attention. Social media videos showed movement of furniture and some shaking, but the park remained open, and no evacuations were reported there beyond standard procedures. The US Geological Survey is likely to monitor for aftershocks, which could pose additional risks to infrastructure and public safety.

Will there be aftershocks? The geological uncertainty after a rare quake

One of the open questions from this event is the potential for aftershocks. While the US Geological Survey has not yet issued a specific forecast for this quake, historical patterns suggest that moderate-to-large earthquakes in intraplate or margin settings can produce a sequence of smaller tremors. The source report does not mention any aftershock warnings, but the rarity of the event means local authorities may be less prepared for seismic follow-ups than for hurricane-related hazards. Residents and visitors in Florida and Mexico should remain vigilant,as even minor aftershocks could exacerbate any undetected damage.