A 7.6-magnitude earthquake recently struck the Caribbean, raising concerns of a tsunami while authorities and residents brace for potential aftereffects.
Caribbean Hit by 7.6-Magnitude Earthquake, Tsunami Alerts Issued
Caribbean Hit by 7.6-Magnitude Earthquake, Tsunami Alerts Issued
A powerful earthquake strikes the Caribbean Sea, prompting multiple tsunami warnings across the region.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that a significant earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 has struck the Caribbean Sea. The earthquake's epicenter was determined to be roughly 20 miles (32.1 km) north of Honduras and 130 miles (209.2 km) south-west of the Cayman Islands. As a result, numerous tsunami alerts have been issued for neighboring countries, including the coasts of Colombia, the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Cuba.
The National Weather Service initially activated an advisory for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands; however, this alert was retracted approximately 45 minutes after issuance. "While alerts have ended, strong and unusual currents may persist. Exercise caution near the shore," the National Tsunami Warning Centre advised. Meanwhile, the government of the Cayman Islands has cautioned residents that they remain "under a tsunami threat," encouraging those near coastal areas to relocate inland.
According to the USGS, substantial earthquakes at this specific tectonic plate boundary are not unusual. In a similar fashion, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake occurred in nearby waters in 2018, resulting in minor damage and a small tsunami. The agency noted that the isolated nature of these seismic events often reduces the chance of extensive damage from ground shaking. In addition, the US National Tsunami Warning Centre specified that there are currently no alerts for the mainland United States coastline.
The National Weather Service initially activated an advisory for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands; however, this alert was retracted approximately 45 minutes after issuance. "While alerts have ended, strong and unusual currents may persist. Exercise caution near the shore," the National Tsunami Warning Centre advised. Meanwhile, the government of the Cayman Islands has cautioned residents that they remain "under a tsunami threat," encouraging those near coastal areas to relocate inland.
According to the USGS, substantial earthquakes at this specific tectonic plate boundary are not unusual. In a similar fashion, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake occurred in nearby waters in 2018, resulting in minor damage and a small tsunami. The agency noted that the isolated nature of these seismic events often reduces the chance of extensive damage from ground shaking. In addition, the US National Tsunami Warning Centre specified that there are currently no alerts for the mainland United States coastline.
