Caribbean Faces Tsunami Threat After Powerful Earthquake

A powerful earthquake struck the Caribbean, rattling multiple nations and prompting urgent tsunami alerts across the region.

A significant 7.6-magnitude earthquake has hit the Caribbean Sea, generating tsunami watches for various countries, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The epicenter of the quake was located approximately 20 miles (32.1 km) north of Honduras and 130 miles (209.2 km) south-west of the Cayman Islands.

In response to the earthquake, tsunami warnings were issued for several coastal regions, including Colombia, the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Cuba. The National Weather Service initially alerted Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands of potential tsunami hazards; however, this advisory was retracted about 45 minutes later. “While alerts have ended, residents should remain cautious as strong and unusual currents may still occur,” the National Tsunami Warning Centre cautioned.

The Cayman Islands government, however, maintains that the territory remains "under a tsunami threat," urging residents near the coastline to evacuate inland. The USGS noted that significant earthquakes, such as this one, are not uncommon at this boundary, pointing to a similar 7.5-magnitude earthquake in 2018 that caused damage and generated a small tsunami.

Despite the seismic activity, the US National Tsunami Warning Centre confirmed there are currently no tsunami alerts for the mainland United States, but residents in affected areas are advised to stay informed through local emergency management sources.

The frequency of such earthquakes in this area raises questions about preparedness and response strategies for vulnerable coastal communities in the Caribbean.