A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean Sea on Saturday night, with its epicenter located north of Honduras and southwest of the Cayman Islands. The quake initially triggered tsunami warnings, which were later lifted after further assessments indicated no ongoing threat.
Earthquake Details
- Magnitude: 7.6
- Time: 6:23 p.m. ET, Saturday
- Epicenter: 129 miles southwest of George Town, Cayman Islands, and 372 miles west of Kingston, Jamaica
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the quake, with at least 326 people reporting they felt the tremor.
Initial Tsunami Alerts
Following the earthquake, the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami advisory for:
- Puerto Rico
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- British Virgin Islands
The advisory was canceled shortly after when further modeling showed the threat had passed. A “tsunami threat” warning was also issued for Cuba, Honduras, and the Cayman Islands, but this too was lifted later on Saturday night.
No tsunami alerts were issued for the mainland U.S.
Local Precautions and Public Safety
During the brief period of uncertainty, authorities in affected regions issued warnings to residents:
- Puerto Rico: Residents were warned to stay out of the water until further notice.Ángel Vázquez, director of the Puerto Rico Seismic Network, stated:
“Although a high-impact event is not anticipated, as a safety measure, no one should be in the water until further notice.” - Cayman Islands: The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service confirmed there were no reports of damage from the earthquake, but local authorities remained cautious.
No Damage or Casualties Reported
As of late Saturday night, no significant damage or casualties had been reported in any of the affected areas. The Royal Cayman Islands Police and local agencies continue to monitor the situation.
The 7.6 magnitude earthquake was a powerful reminder of the seismic risks in the Caribbean, but timely warnings and assessments helped prevent panic. With no damage reported and the tsunami threat cleared, normal activities are expected to resume, though officials advise remaining vigilant and following updates from local authorities.
