The earthquake, centered north of Honduras, has prompted officials to issue tsunami alerts while warning the public of strong ocean currents.
**Powerful Caribbean Earthquake Sparks Tsunami Warnings Across Region**
**Powerful Caribbean Earthquake Sparks Tsunami Warnings Across Region**
A 7.6-magnitude quake in the Caribbean raises alarms for multiple nations and residents along coastal areas.
A significant 7.6-magnitude earthquake has struck the Caribbean Sea, prompting a wave of 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 about 130 miles (209.2 km) south-west of the Cayman Islands.
Tsunami warnings were issued for regions including the coast of Colombia, as well as the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Cuba. Initially, the National Weather Service released a tsunami advisory that covered Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands but rescinded it 45 minutes later. While alerts have since been cancelled, the National Tsunami Warning Centre cautioned that "strong and unusual currents may continue" and advised the public to exercise caution near coastal waters.
Despite the lifted advisories, the government of the Cayman Islands has notified residents that they remain "under a tsunami threat," urging individuals living near the coast to relocate inland as a precaution. The USGS indicated that earthquakes of this magnitude in the region are not unprecedented, noting a similar 7.5-magnitude quake occurred in 2018, which caused damage and led to a small tsunami.
Fortunately, the remote nature of these seismic events has reduced the likelihood of severe destruction resulting from shaking. In separate news, the US National Tsunami Warning Centre confirmed that no tsunami alerts are currently in effect for the mainland US coast. As authorities continue to monitor the situation, residents are urged to stay informed through local emergency management channels.
