Powerful Earthquake Hits Caribbean, Sparks Tsunami Alerts

In a striking event, a formidable earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale has rattled the Caribbean Sea, prompting immediate tsunami alerts for several countries, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake's epicenter was located approximately 20 miles (32.1 km) north of Honduras and around 130 miles (209.2 km) south-west of the Cayman Islands. In response, tsunami warnings have been issued for multiple areas, with particular caution advised for coastlines in Colombia, the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Cuba. The National Weather Service has specifically flagged potential hazards for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, cautioning that "strong currents and waves dangerous to those in or very near water" may occur. The USGS commented on the geological context, noting that significant earthquakes along this plate boundary are not uncommon. They referenced a similar incident in 2018, when a 7.5-magnitude earthquake caused minor damage and generated a small tsunami. Fortunately, the isolated location of such seismic activities tends to mitigate the risk of severe destruction from shaking, they indicated.