A 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the western Caribbean on Saturday evening, triggering a tsunami advisory for the Cayman Islands. The USGS and local officials advised residents to evacuate coastal areas while similar threats were lifted for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The tsunami warnings highlighted the potential for deceptively powerful waves despite initial concerns, indicating the significance of regional seismic activity.
On Saturday evening, a powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the western Caribbean, prompting a tsunami advisory particularly for the Cayman Islands. The earthquake occurred at approximately 6:30 PM local time, about 130 miles south-southwest of George Town, at a depth of 6 miles. Following the event, alerts for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands were lifted while the Cayman Islands remained under threat of tsunami activity, urging coastal residents to evacuate inland.
The Cayman Islands Hazard Management Agency issued strong cautions, advising residents to seek higher ground due to potential tsunami waves. The advisory highlighted that tsunami waves can be deceptively powerful, even measuring only 1.5 feet but extending over vast areas. Alongside the Cayman Islands, Cuba was also affected by the tsunami threat, forecasting waves between 3 and 10 feet high.
Initially, the National Weather Service issued a tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, prompting local leaders like Governor Jenniffer González Colón to urge residents to evacuate coastal waters. She indicated that no major impact was expected, yet stated that no one should remain in the water until the alert was resolved. According to NBC News and the US Geological Survey (USGS), the tsunami advisory was later canceled, affirming that minimal population exposure to the earthquake was likely.
The USGS initially estimated the earthquake’s magnitude at 8.0 before revising it to 7.6. They noted that large quakes at this geographical location are common, with ten incidents of magnitude 6 or greater recorded in the last century. A significant past event was a 7.5 magnitude earthquake in January 2018, which caused damage and minor tsunami effects, but was situated in a remote area, limiting overall impact.
Earthquakes in the Caribbean are not uncommon due to the interaction of tectonic plates in the area. The region’s geological stability results in periodic seismic activity, with larger quakes potentially causing significant tsunamis. Monitoring systems alert communities about seismic events and advise on tsunami responses to mitigate risks. The consequences of earthquakes can vary based on location, depth, and population density, thus requiring informed actions during alerts.
In summary, the 7.6 magnitude earthquake in the Caribbean raised serious concerns for tsunami activity, particularly affecting the Cayman Islands. Residents were urged to evacuate to higher ground, while initial warnings for Puerto Rico were later lifted. The geological patterns indicate that such seismic events are expected in this region, prompting ongoing monitoring and preparedness initiatives.
Original Source: www.firstpost.com
