A powerful earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck the Caribbean Sea on Saturday evening (local time), triggering tsunami warnings and evacuation advisories in several countries. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km (6.21 miles) and was centered approximately 130 miles (209 kilometers) north of Honduras, near the Cayman Islands.
Tsunami Warnings and Evacuations
The US Tsunami Warning System initially issued tsunami warnings for regions along the Caribbean Sea and north of Honduras. However, no tsunami threat was expected for the US Atlantic or Gulf Coast. Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands were placed under tsunami advisories, while warnings were also issued for multiple coastal nations, including the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Cuba, Mexico, Honduras, the Bahamas, Belize, Haiti, Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, and Guatemala.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later stated that tsunami waves between 1 and 3 meters above tide level could impact parts of Cuba’s coastline, while smaller waves of 0.3 to 1 meter were predicted for the coasts of Honduras and the Cayman Islands.
Alerts and Evacuation Orders
Initially, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had warned of potential tsunami threats to over a dozen countries. However, most of these alerts were later lifted, leaving only three active warnings. Officials noted that “small sea level changes may occur” despite the cancellation of widespread tsunami threats.
In response, several Caribbean nations, including Honduras, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and the Cayman Islands, issued evacuation warnings for residents in coastal areas. The Cayman Islands government urged people living near the coastline to move inland as a precautionary measure.
Sources By Agencies
