A magnitude-7.6 earthquake occurred in the Caribbean Sea, prompting tsunami warnings in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. Residents were advised to evacuate coastal areas, and the U.S. mainland was not under a tsunami alert. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted possible tsunami waves along the coasts of affected nations.
On Saturday, a magnitude-7.6 earthquake rattled the Caribbean Sea, southwest of the Cayman Islands, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. The tremor, which occurred at 6:23 p.m. local time, was located about 130 miles (209 kilometers) south-southwest of George Town and had a depth of 10 kilometers. In response, various nations in the region advised residents along coastlines to seek higher ground in anticipation of potential tsunami waves.
The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center reported that while there was no tsunami alert for the U.S. mainland, a tsunami advisory was issued for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Hazard Management department in the Cayman Islands encouraged residents living near the coast to evacuate inland and ascend to higher elevations, predicting wave heights of up to 1 meter.
Governor Jenniffer González Colón of Puerto Rico stated that she was in communication with emergency agencies regarding the tsunami advisory; however, she did not recommend evacuating the coast. In contrast, the Dominican government declared a tsunami alert urging coastal residents to move to higher ground, specifically areas exceeding 20 meters in elevation and at least 2 kilometers inland. Additionally, ships in the region were advised to steer clear of the sea for safety.
The Cuban government urged locals to vacate beachfront areas, while authorities in Honduras reported no immediate damage but advised the public to avoid beaches for the time being. Following the earthquake, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned of potential tsunami waves between 1 to 3 meters along some Cuban coasts, with estimates of up to 1 meter for some coasts of Honduras and the Cayman Islands. Actual wave heights may vary due to forecast uncertainties and local conditions.
In summary, the magnitude-7.6 earthquake the Caribbean experienced prompted authorities in various nations to issue tsunami advisories and suggest evacuations from coastal areas. While significant precautions were taken to ensure public safety, no immediate reports of damage emerged. The situation underscores the need for preparedness in the face of natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis.
Original Source: abc7.com
