A 7.6 magnitude earthquake in the Caribbean Sea triggered tsunami warnings for multiple countries. Alerts later cancelled for some areas, but caution advised.
A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean Sea, triggering tsunami warnings for several countries, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 20 miles (32.1km) north of Honduras and 130 miles (209.2km) south-west of the Cayman Islands.
Tsunami alerts were issued for the coasts of Colombia, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Cuba. The National Weather Service (NWS) initially issued a tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, which was later canceled approximately 45 minutes after it was issued.
Tsunami Advisory Updates
The National Weather Service stated that all tsunami forecast water levels were below 1 foot, with the earliest arrival times in about 1 hour in Puerto Rico. They cautioned that even a one to three-foot tsunami is an impressive force of nature capable of strong and unusual currents, impacting boats, harbors, and piers, advising people to stay away from the coast in the advisory area.
The advisory for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands was canceled shortly after 8:15 p.m. E.T., but the NWS warned that strong and unusual currents may continue and advised caution near the water.
At 8:23 p.m. E.T., the NWS noted that a Tsunami Threat continues for Cuba, where a tsunami may reach 1 to 3 meters above the tide, and Honduras and the Cayman Islands, where a tsunami may reach up to 0.3 to 1 meter above the tide.
Earthquake Details
The earthquake occurred at 6:23 p.m. local time on Saturday and had a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the USGS. The epicenter was 130 miles (209 kilometers) south-southwest of George Town, the capital of the Cayman Islands.
The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that a tsunami wasn’t expected for the U.S. mainland. Prior to cancelation, a Tsunami advisory was in effect for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Authorities warned of possible sea level fluctuations and strong ocean currents, which could pose dangers to people on beaches and boats.
After 9 p.m. E.T., the NWS announced that the tsunami threat had passed, stating that there are no alerts posted for the United States or International Partners and advising normal caution due to possible unusual currents.
Geological Context
The fault line in the area is the Cayman Trough, which marks the dividing line between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates.
The NWS later warned “International threat messages continue for Cuba, Honduras, & the Cayman Islands. A tsunami is measured in Mexico, Isla Mujeres, at 0103 UTC, at 3 cm / 1.2 in. While that sounds small, it’s a necessary confirmation that a tsunami is occurring.”
Regional Response
Hazard Management Cayman Islands advised residents close to the coast to move to higher ground. The governor of Puerto Rico, Jenniffer González Colón, stated she was in touch with emergency services but did not order coastal residents to relocate.
The Dominican government issued an alert, instructing coastal residents to move to areas higher than 20 meters of altitude and 2 kilometers inland, and advised ships to avoid the area. The government of Cuba also instructed people to leave the coast, and Honduran media urged residents to move away from beaches.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned that tsunami waves reaching 1 to 3 meters above the tide level were possible along some coasts of Cuba and that actual amplitudes at the coast may vary due to forecast uncertainties and local features.
CNN also reported on the earthquake, noting the initial tsunami threat to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, which was later canceled, and the continued advisories for Cuba, Honduras, and the Cayman Islands.
Aftershocks
According to the USGS, aftershocks may occur for months or years following the main quake, due to readjustments to the fault, but are typically not as strong as the initial earthquake.
Sources: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g3y4g7dy2o
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/earthquake-cayman-islands-caribbean-tsunami-b2694777.html
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/08/americas/earthquake-caribbean-tsunami-warning-puerto-rico-virgin-intl-latam/index.html