MEXICO CITY — A powerful earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale jolted the Caribbean Sea on Saturday, impacting areas south of the Cayman Islands, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. In the wake of the quake, multiple islands and nations strongly advised individuals in coastal regions to seek safety by moving inland; however, authorities gradually rescinded most tsunami warnings thereafter.
The earthquake occurred at 6:23 p.m. local time, originating in the ocean with a notable depth of 10 kilometers. Its epicenter was identified as approximately 130 miles (209 kilometers) south-southwest of George Town, the capital of the Cayman Islands. Following the seismic event, the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center indicated that tsunami alerts were not necessary for the U.S. mainland, but did initially issue a tsunami advisory for both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, which was subsequently revoked.
The Hazard Management Cayman Islands took proactive measures by advising residents living along the coastline to evacuate to higher ground, cautioning that wave heights could reach between 0.3 to 1 meter. The government of the Cayman Islands later announced an “all clear” on its official Facebook page, easing concerns among the populace.
Puerto Rico’s Governor, Jenniffer González Colón, confirmed that she was in touch with emergency management agencies following the tsunami advisory, though she did not recommend evacuating coastal areas. Reports from local media indicated that alarm systems in Puerto Rico’s northwest prompted citizens to abandon beach areas, contributing to significant congestion on the roads.
The Dominican Republic’s government also took precautionary actions by issuing a tsunami warning, advising coastal residents to seek refuge in locations higher than 20 meters and at least 2 kilometers inland. Similar to the Cayman Islands, this alert was later lifted.
Authorities in Honduras indicated there were no immediate reports of damage but advised residents to maintain a safe distance from beaches. Meanwhile, the Cuban government urged individuals to vacate coastal zones. Additionally, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stated that “tsunami waves measuring 1 to 3 meters above typical tide levels could potentially affect certain coastlines of Cuba.”
