The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has announced the cancellation of tsunami warnings following a powerful earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale that struck the Caribbean Sea. The quake occurred on Saturday evening local time, with its epicenter located approximately 20 miles (32.1 km) north of Honduras and 130 miles (209.2 km) southwest of the Cayman Islands.
Initial warnings and subsequent updates
Initially, the US Tsunami Warning System issued alerts for over a dozen countries, predicting wave heights potentially reaching three meters (10 feet). However, as assessments were conducted, officials confirmed that the threat had subsided.
Advisories were also extended to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, but these too were lifted shortly afterward. In response to the earthquake, the Cayman Islands government urged residents in coastal areas to move to higher ground, although reports regarding any significant movement or damage on land remain unclear.
Historical context and seismic activity
This earthquake is noted as the most significant seismic event in the region since a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti in 2021, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Approximately three hours post-quake, US authorities alerted that “minor sea level fluctuations” of up to 30 centimeters (11.8 inches) could still occur; however, they stressed that the threat of a catastrophic event had passed.
“Luckily, the remote location of these earthquakes limits the potential for significant damage due to shaking,” the USGS stated.
The USGS indicated that large earthquakes at this particular plate boundary are not unusual, referencing a 7.5-magnitude quake in 2018 that resulted in minor damage and a small tsunami. Additionally, the US National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that there are currently no alerts in effect for the mainland US coastline.