Powerful earthquake strikes the Caribbean, but tsunami threat diminishes for islands.

 No immediate damage was reported following the earthquake. The Cayman fault line, located near the Cayman Islands, marks the boundary between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates.



Powerful Earthquake Strikes Caribbean, Tsunami Threat Subsides

A 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck between Honduras and the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean Sea on Saturday evening, prompting a tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico and nearby islands.

Authorities warned of potential sea-level fluctuations and strong ocean currents, which could pose risks to boaters and beachgoers. However, no significant damage was reported in the immediate aftermath.



Minimal Tsunami Impact Reported

According to the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC), the highest recorded sea-level rise was just 1.2 inches at an observation site on Isla Mujeres, a Mexican island off the Yucatán Peninsula. Despite the small increase, the event was still classified as a tsunami by experts.



Widespread Tremors Felt

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that light shaking was felt across the Caribbean, from the Yucatán Peninsula through Nicaragua and Honduras, and possibly as far north as southern Cuba. Emergency management agencies in the region reported no injuries in the hours following the quake.



Tectonic Context and Aftershock Risk

The earthquake occurred along the Cayman Trough, a major fault line marking the boundary between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates. According to the USGS, aftershocks could continue for months or even years, but they are unlikely to be as strong as the initial quake.

Tsunamis in the Caribbean: A Rare Phenomenon

Tsunamis are relatively uncommon in the Caribbean because most regional fault lines do not displace large volumes of seawater. According to the University of the West Indies, only ten significant earthquake-generated tsunamis have been recorded in the region over the past 500 years.



Historical Earthquakes in the Region

  • 2021: A 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck southern Haiti, causing extensive infrastructure damage but sparing the capital, Port-au-Prince.
  • 2010: A 7.0-magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti, with more than 200,000 fatalities, largely due to its shallow depth and proximity to the capital.
  • 2020: A 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Jamaica, with shaking felt as far as South Florida, but no major damage was reported.


Earthquakes are a common occurrence in the Caribbean, with some events proving catastrophic for island nations. While Saturday’s quake caused concern, its impact remained minimal, and the tsunami threat has now subsided.

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