Dominica News Online
A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean Sea on Saturday evening, triggering tsunami warnings that were later canceled, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The earthquake occurred about 20 miles (32.1 km) north of Honduras and 130 miles (209.2 km) southwest of the Cayman Islands. Following the quake, the U.S. National Tsunami Warning System issued warnings for more than a dozen countries, predicting waves of up to three meters (10 feet). However, these alerts were subsequently lifted as the threat subsided.
Advisories were also issued for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, but were later rescinded. The government of the Cayman Islands advised coastal residents to move inland in response to the seismic event.
To date, there have been no confirmed reports of significant damage or ground shaking. This earthquake is the strongest to hit the region since the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Haiti in 2021, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
About three hours after the initial tremor, U.S. authorities warned that “minor fluctuations in sea level” of up to 30 cm could still occur, but assured the public that any serious threat had been ruled out.
The USGS noted that major earthquakes are not uncommon in this area along the tectonic plate boundary, citing a magnitude 7.5 earthquake in 2018 that caused some damage and triggered a small tsunami. “Fortunately, the remote location of these earthquakes limits the potential for significant damage from the tremors,” the agency said.
In a separate announcement, the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that there are currently no warnings in effect for the U.S. mainland.
