Major Caribbean earthquake triggers tsunami alerts

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported a strong earthquake of magnitude 7.6 on the Richter scale in the Caribbean Sea, triggering tsunami warnings for several countries. The intensity of this earthquake has sparked widespread concern throughout the region.

According to official reports, the epicenter of the earthquake was located approximately 20 miles (32.1 kilometers) north of Honduras and about 130 miles (209.2 kilometers) southwest of the Cayman Islands. Following the earthquake, relevant authorities promptly activated emergency response mechanisms.

Tsunami alerts have been issued for several countries and regions, including Colombia, the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Cuba. The U.S. National Weather Service initially issued a tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as well, but canceled the alert approximately 45 minutes after its release.

The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center stated, "Although the alert has ended, strong and unusual currents may still be present. Please remain vigilant and exercise caution near the water." Simultaneously, the center advised the public to "refer to the latest information from local emergency management authorities."

The Cayman Islands government warned residents that the area remains "under a tsunami threat" and advised "residents living near the coastline to move inland." The USGS stated that an earthquake of this magnitude is not unexpected at this plate boundary. In 2018, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurred nearby, causing some damage and a small tsunami. The agency added, "Fortunately, the remote location of these earthquakes limits the potential for significant damage from shaking." Furthermore, the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center stated that there are no tsunami warnings for the continental U.S. coastline.