A powerful earthquake of 7.6 magnitude struck the Caribbean Sea, southwest of the Cayman Islands yesterday. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake, which occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres, had its epicentre 209 kilometres south-southwest of George Town in the Cayman Islands. Following the quake, the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands but confirmed there was no tsunami threat for the U.S. mainland.

 

 

Hazard Management Cayman Islands urged coastal residents to move inland and seek higher ground, warning of expected wave heights of 0.3 to 1 meter. The Dominican government also issued a tsunami alert, advising residents in coastal areas to relocate to higher ground above 20 meters of altitude and at least 2 kilometers inland. It warned ships to avoid entering the sea for several hours. Similarly, the Cuban government instructed people to evacuate beachfront areas.

 

 

In Honduras, authorities reported no immediate damage but cautioned residents to stay away from beaches for the next few hours. Later, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that tsunami waves of 1 to 3 meters above tide level could impact some coasts of Cuba, while waves between 0.3 and 1 meter above tide level were possible for parts of Honduras and the Cayman Islands.