7.6 magnitude earthquake shakes Caribbean, some islands urge residents to depart coastlines

The quake struck at 6:23 pm native time in the midst of the ocean and had a depth of 10 kilometers. Picture: earthquake.usgs.gov

A magnitude-7.6 earthquake shook the Caribbean Sea southwest of the Cayman Islands Saturday (February 8, 2025), based on the US Geological Survey, and a few islands and nations urged folks close to the shoreline to maneuver inland in case of a tsunami.

The quake struck at 6:23 pm native time in the midst of the ocean and had a depth of 10 kilometers, the USGS mentioned. Its epicenter was positioned 130 miles (209 kilometers) south-southwest of George City within the Cayman Islands.

The U.S. Nationwide Tsunami Warning Middle mentioned there isn’t a tsunami alert for the U.S. mainland however issued a tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Hazard Administration Cayman Islands urged residents positioned close to the coast to maneuver inland and to larger floor. It mentioned wave heights of 0.3 to 1 meter are anticipated.

Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González Colón mentioned in an announcement she is in touch with emergency businesses after the tsunami advisory, however didn’t advocate anybody go away the coast.

The Dominican authorities additionally issued a tsunami alert and really helpful residents on the coast transfer to excessive areas “of greater than 20 meters of altitude and a couple of kilometers inland.” It additionally urged ships to steer away or keep away from getting into the ocean for the subsequent few hours.

The Cuban authorities requested folks to depart beachfront areas.

Honduran authorities mentioned aren’t any quick reviews of damages, however urged its residents to steer clear of seashores within the subsequent few hours, native media mentioned.

Later, the U.S. authorities’s Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration mentioned “tsunami waves reaching 1 to three meters above the tide degree are attainable alongside some coasts of Cuba.” It added waves between 0.3 and 1 meter above the tide degree are attainable for some coasts of Honduras and Cayman Islands.

“Precise amplitudes on the coast could fluctuate from forecast amplitudes as a consequence of uncertainties within the forecast and native options,” the NOAA mentioned in a report.