A moderate earthquake rattled St. Maarten and nearby islands on Monday, sending hundreds of jarred islanders and tourists running out of buildings.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage from the magnitude 4.5 quake. It struck at a depth of 22 miles (35 kilometers) and the epicenter was located east of St. Maarten, which shares a tiny island with the French territory of St. Martin.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the temblor hit Monday around 12:30 p.m. EDT (1600GMT). It was also felt on the Caribbean islands of Anguilla, St. Barts, St. Kitts and St. Eustatius.
Jackie Joseph, a resident of the densely populated St. Peters district of St. Maarten, said schoolchildren ran screaming out of classrooms.
The quake also drove scores of frightened people into the streets in the islands' business districts.
