A 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean near the Cayman Islands, prompting evacuations for coastal residents across several nearby territories. Authorities issued tsunami alerts which were later retracted, confirming no immediate threats or damages in the affected regions.
On Saturday, a magnitude-7.6 earthquake occurred in the Caribbean Sea, situated south of the Cayman Islands, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. Following the quake, which struck at 6:23 p.m. local time and sank to a depth of 10 kilometers, several islands and nations advised coastal residents to evacuate inland. Thankfully, most areas later retracted their tsunami alerts.
The quake’s epicenter was located 130 miles (209 kilometers) south-southwest of George Town, Cayman Islands. Although the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed no tsunami alert was in effect for the U.S. mainland, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands initially received a tsunami advisory, which was subsequently rescinded.
Hazard Management Cayman Islands initially instructed coastal residents to head toward higher ground due to anticipated wave heights of 0.3 to 1 meter. Later, the Cayman Islands government issued an “all clear” through its social media outlets. In Puerto Rico, Governor Jenniffer González Colón indicated ongoing communication with emergency agencies, but did not advise coastal evacuations.
In response to tsunami alarms, significant traffic was reported as residents fled coastal areas in Puerto Rico. Dominican authorities also issued a tsunami alert, recommending residents move to locations exceeding 20 meters in altitude and at least 2 kilometers inland, which they later canceled. In Honduras, officials noted no damage reports while advising residents to avoid beaches.
Cuba’s government required individuals to exit beachfront areas, while the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicated that tsunami waves could reach between 1 to 3 meters above the tide level along certain coastlines of Cuba.
In summary, the magnitude-7.6 earthquake that impacted the Caribbean prompted urgent evacuation advisories for coastal residents across various islands. While tsunami warnings were temporarily issued, most were lifted shortly after. Authorities successfully coordinated communications and ensured the safety of their communities, with no immediate damage reported following the earthquake.
Original Source: www.wilx.com
