A magnitude-7.6 earthquake struck southwest of the Cayman Islands, prompting tsunami advisories for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Coastal residents in affected nations were advised to evacuate inland. The NOAA issued warnings about potential tsunami waves affecting several Caribbean coasts, highlighting the need for vigilance in response to such seismic activity.
On Saturday, a magnitude-7.6 earthquake occurred in the Caribbean Sea, southwest of the Cayman Islands, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quake struck at 6:23 p.m. local time, with a depth of 10 kilometers and its epicenter located approximately 130 miles south-southwest of George Town, Cayman Islands. As a result, several islands and coastal nations issued advisories urging residents to move inland due to potential tsunami threats.
The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that while there was no tsunami alert for the U.S. mainland, a tsunami advisory was issued for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hazard Management in the Cayman Islands instructed coastal residents to evacuate to higher ground, anticipating wave heights between 0.3 to 1 meter. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico’s Governor Jenniffer González Colón stated she was coordinating with emergency agencies but did not recommend immediate evacuation from the coast.
The Dominican Republic declared a tsunami alert, advising coastal citizens to relocate to elevated areas above 20 meters and at least 2 kilometers inland. Additionally, they urged vessels to refrain from entering the sea temporarily. Cuban authorities requested evacuation from beach zones as a precautionary measure while Honduras reported no significant damage but advised residents to stay clear of beaches.
Subsequent assessments by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicated the possibility of tsunami waves reaching up to 3 meters along certain Cuban coasts and suggested smaller wave heights for Honduras and the Cayman Islands. NOAA cautioned that actual wave heights could differ from forecasts due to local geographical features.
Earthquakes occur due to tectonic movements, with significant ones often prompting tsunami alerts in coastal areas. The U.S. Geological Survey monitors seismic activity, and the National Tsunami Warning Center assesses the risk of tsunami formation following underwater earthquakes. In this incident, the quake’s magnitude and epicenter triggered immediate responses from neighboring countries to mitigate potential risks to coastal populations, highlighting the importance of early warning systems in disaster preparedness.
The 7.6 magnitude earthquake in the Caribbean prompted urgent safety measures across multiple nations, with advisories for coastal residents to retreat inland due to tsunami risks. While the U.S. mainland remained unaffected by tsunami threats, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands received advisories. Precautionary evacuations were ordered in Dominican Republic and Cuba, emphasizing the necessity of coordinated emergency measures following seismic events.
Original Source: kvnutalk.com
