Magnitude-7.6 Earthquake Triggers Tsunami Advisories in the Caribbean

A magnitude-7.6 earthquake struck the Caribbean Sea near the Cayman Islands, prompting tsunami advisories in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Coastal residents across several countries have been urged to move inland as precautionary measures. The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed no alerts for the U.S. mainland, while estimates of possible tsunami wave heights were provided for surrounding regions.

On Saturday evening, a magnitude-7.6 earthquake impacted the Caribbean Sea, southwest of the Cayman Islands, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake occurred at 6:23 p.m. local time, with a depth of 10 kilometers, and its epicenter was located approximately 130 miles (209 kilometers) south-southwest of George Town, Cayman Islands. In light of the seismic event, several islands have advised residents to move inland due to potential tsunami risk.

The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center indicated that no tsunami alert was issued for the U.S. mainland; however, a tsunami advisory was raised for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hazard Management Cayman Islands has urged coastal residents to relocate to higher ground, predicting waves of 0.3 to 1 meter may occur. Meanwhile, Puerto Rican Governor Jenniffer González Colón reported that she remains in contact with emergency agencies regarding the advisory but did not recommend evacuation of the coastline.

In response to the earthquake, the Dominican Republic’s government issued a tsunami alert, advising coastal residents to seek elevated areas exceeding 20 meters in altitude and to move at least 2 kilometers inland. Additionally, they cautioned vessels to avoid entering the sea for the next few hours. The Cuban government echoed these concerns, requesting individuals in beachfront regions to evacuate.

Authorities in Honduras, while reporting no immediate damage, recommended that residents refrain from visiting beaches temporarily. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration later stated that tsunami waves measuring between 1 to 3 meters above tide levels could affect parts of Cuba, as well as waves between 0.3 and 1 meter for select coastlines in Honduras and the Cayman Islands. They noted that actual wave heights at coastal regions may differ from forecasted heights due to various factors.

In summary, the 7.6 magnitude earthquake in the Caribbean has led to advisories and alerts across various islands, urging residents in coastal areas to move inland due to possible tsunami threats. The U.S. mainland remains unaffected, yet local governments have been proactive in ensuring the safety of their residents by providing guidance and precautions against potential tsunami activity.

Original Source: abc7.com