A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck between Honduras and the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean Sea, prompting a tsunami alert, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Areas Under Tsunami Alert
The tsunami alert was raised for the Cayman Islands, while authorities confirmed that Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands were not under threat.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued an update on X, stating, "The Tsunami Advisory for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands is now canceled. While alerts have ended, strong and unusual currents may continue. Be careful near the water and use caution."
Details of the Earthquake
According to USGS, the earthquake hit at 6:23 p.m. local time. The epicenter was located approximately 20 miles north of Honduras and 130 miles southwest of the Cayman Islands.
Following the quake, the Cayman Islands Hazard Management Agency issued a warning, advising residents to evacuate coastal areas. "The Cayman Islands is under a Tsunami threat. Residents living near the coastline are encouraged to move inland," the agency stated.
The advisory further instructed people to move away from harbors, bays, and marinas and to avoid entering the water.
Largest Earthquake in the Region Since 2021
The 7.6 magnitude earthquake is the strongest to hit the region since the devastating 7.2 magnitude quake that struck Haiti in 2021.
NWS reported at 8:23 p.m. that a tsunami threat still remained for Cuba, where waves could reach one to three meters above the tide level. In Honduras and the Cayman Islands, waves may rise up to 0.3 to one meter above the tide.
At this time, no tsunami threats have been issued for the United States.
