Experts predict continued caution as unusual sea currents remain a possibility following emergency alerts.
Caribbean Sea rocked by 7.6-magnitude earthquake; tsunami alerts issued
Caribbean Sea rocked by 7.6-magnitude earthquake; tsunami alerts issued
A powerful earthquake prompts warnings for multiple Caribbean nations and impacts coastal safety.
A significant earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, hit the Caribbean Sea earlier today, leading to widespread tsunami alerts across several countries in the region, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake's epicenter was identified approximately 20 miles (32.1 km) north of Honduras, and 130 miles (209.2 km) south-west of the Cayman Islands.
In response to the seismic event, multiple tsunami warnings were issued, affecting the coasts of Colombia, the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Cuba. Initially, the National Weather Service extended a tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands; however, this was rescinded about 45 minutes after being issued.
The National Tsunami Warning Centre has advised vigilance, as although the official alerts have ended, the possibility of strong and unusual currents persists in the waters. Residents are urged to heed local emergency management updates for the latest information on safety.
Despite the alerts, the government of the Cayman Islands is still cautioning residents, highlighting that the region remains under a tsunami threat. Those living near the coastline are advised to relocate inland for their safety.
The USGS noted that substantial earthquakes frequently occur along this particular plate boundary. A similar event recorded in 2018 measured 7.5 in magnitude and resulted in minor damage and a small tsunami. Fortunately, the remote nature of such earthquakes often limits the potential for significant destruction due to shaking.
Furthermore, there are currently no tsunami alerts for the mainland US coastline, as stated by the US National Tsunami Warning Centre.
