A significant earthquake of magnitude 7.6 occurred in the Caribbean Sea, triggering a temporary tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The advisory was lifted, but caution is advised due to ongoing strong currents. The NOAA forecasts potential tsunami waves for Cuba, with no alert for the U.S. mainland.
On Saturday evening, the Caribbean Sea experienced a “notable” earthquake characterized by a preliminary magnitude of 7.6, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). This seismic event took place approximately 130 miles southwest of Georgetown, Cayman Islands, at around 6:30 PM. Following the earthquake, data indicated a temporary tsunami threat to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, prompting authorities to advise residents to avoid beaches and coastal waters due to potential hazards and flooding risk.
By 8:15 PM, the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC) announced that the tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands had been lifted. However, they cautioned that, although alerts had ended, strong and unusual currents might persist, advising precaution near coastlines. The NTWC stated on X (formerly Twitter), “While alerts have ended, strong and unusual currents may continue. Be careful near the water and use caution.”
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) outlined that tsunami waves, ranging from 1 to 3 meters above tide levels, could affect certain coasts of Cuba. Forecasts for Cuba remain at a maximum of 3 meters, while threats to Honduras and the Cayman Islands are predicted to range from 0.3 meters to 1 meter. The NOAA clarified, “A tsunami is not a tidal wave — that’s the surf. A tsunami is more powerful.”
In light of the earthquake, the Cuban government recommended that citizens evacuate beachfront areas to ensure their safety. Notably, the NOAA indicated that actual wave amplitudes may differ from forecasts due to local variances. It is important to note that there was no tsunami warning issued for the U.S. mainland, according to the NTWC.
The USGS attributed the earthquake to “strike slip faulting in the shallow crust near the boundary between the North America and Caribbean plates.” Focal mechanism studies revealed that the rupture occurred along a steeply dipping structure, either west-northwest (right-lateral) or west-southwest (left-lateral). Fortunately, reports indicated that no damage was observed immediately following the event.
In summary, a significant 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean Sea on Saturday, triggering a temporary tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. While the advisory was later canceled, caution remains urged along coastlines due to unusual currents. The NOAA continues to monitor potential tsunami impacts on Cuba and neighboring regions. Notably, there was no report of significant damage as a result of the earthquake.
Original Source: wgme.com
