A 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean Sea, leading to temporary tsunami advisories for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The advisories were lifted later, but possible tsunami waves were still expected along parts of Cuba. Local authorities advised caution near coastlines, and no major damage was reported in the aftermath.
A significant earthquake registering a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck the Caribbean Sea on Saturday, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The seismic activity occurred approximately 130 miles southwest of Georgetown, Cayman Islands, shortly before 6:30 p.m. local time.
In response to the earthquake, a temporary tsunami advisory was issued for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Residents in these areas were urged to remain away from coastal waters due to potential sea level hazards and flooding risks.
By 8:15 p.m., the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) lifted the tsunami advisory for the affected regions. However, the NTWC cautioned that strong and unusual currents might persist, advising individuals to exercise caution near water.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicated a possible tsunami wave height of 1 to 3 meters along certain parts of the Cuban coast. They further mentioned forecasts of 0.3 to 1 meter for Honduras and the Cayman Islands, stressing that the tsunami threat was significant, although it differed from a tidal wave.
The Cuban government has recommended that residents evacuate beachfront areas following the tsunami advisory. The NOAA acknowledged that actual wave heights could vary due to local conditions and forecasting uncertainties.
It is important to note that no tsunami alert was issued for the contiguous United States. The USGS attributed the earthquake to “strike slip faulting in the shallow crust near the boundary between the North America and Caribbean plates,” indicating that the seismic rupture was characterized by steeply dipping structures oriented either west-northwest or west-southwest.
Fortunately, initial reports indicated no damage in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.
In summary, a strong earthquake in the Caribbean triggered temporary tsunami advisories for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands but was later lifted. The NOAA issued warnings regarding potential tsunami waves reaching significant heights along Cuba’s coast. While precautions were taken, initial assessments revealed no damage resulting from the seismic event.
Original Source: wgme.com
