7.6 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Caribbean, Urges Coastal Evacuations

On September 6, 2023, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit the Caribbean Sea, prompting tsunami warnings and advisories across various nations, including Puerto Rico and Cuba. Residents in coastal areas were advised to evacuate to safe grounds. The U.S. government issued a report indicating potential tsunami waves in the region, stressing safety measures for impacted communities.

A 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean Sea southwest of the Cayman Islands on Saturday, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. Occurring at 6:23 p.m. local time, the earthquake’s epicenter was approximately 130 miles south-southwest of George Town, with a depth of 10 kilometers. Regions near the coastline were advised to move inland in anticipation of potential tsunami effects.

The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center did not issue a tsunami alert for the U.S. mainland; however, a tsunami advisory was declared for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Authorities in the Cayman Islands instructed coastal residents to seek higher ground, with expected wave heights ranging from 0.3 to 1 meter. Puerto Rico’s Governor Jenniffer González Colón noted that she is coordinating with emergency services in response to the advisory.

The Dominican Republic also issued a tsunami alert, suggesting coastal residents retreat to heights exceeding 20 meters and to move 2 kilometers inland. Furthermore, the Cuban government urged citizens to evacuate beachfront locations. Honduran officials reported no immediate damage but recommended residents avoid coastal areas for safety.

Subsequently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted tsunami waves of up to 1 to 3 meters for some Cuban coasts, with smaller waves between 0.3 and 1 meter expected along certain coasts of Honduras and the Cayman Islands. The NOAA cautioned that actual wave heights may differ due to localized conditions.

On September 6, 2023, a powerful earthquake startled residents across several Caribbean regions, primarily affecting the Cayman Islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Honduras. Earthquakes in this region can potentially trigger tsunamis, which necessitated precautionary evacuations and advisories from local governments. The response from authorities illustrates the urgency in managing natural disaster threats in coastal areas.

In summary, the magnitude-7.6 earthquake that occurred southwest of the Cayman Islands prompted immediate precautionary measures across multiple Caribbean nations. With advisories echoing from Puerto Rico to the Dominican Republic and Cuba, officials called for residents near coastlines to seek higher ground. Notably, while there were no tsunami alerts for the U.S. mainland, caution remained paramount in the affected regions of the Caribbean.

Original Source: kvnutalk.com