A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck the western Caribbean on Saturday night. As a result, a tsunami advisory was issued for the Cayman Islands. Fortunately, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands were cleared of the threat. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred at 6:30 pm (local time) at a depth of about 6 miles, roughly 130 miles south-southwest of George Town, Cayman Islands.

Tsunami Advisory for Cayman Islands

“The Cayman Islands is under a Tsunami threat. Residents living near the coastline are encouraged to move inland,” said the Cayman Islands Hazard Management Agency. Therefore, the agency urged residents along the coast to move to higher ground. Additionally, it warned that tsunami activity could occur within an hour of the advisory being issued.

Tsunami Waves May Be Deceptively Powerful

The Hazard Management Agency further explained that tsunami waves, though sometimes only 1.5 feet high, can be extremely powerful. In fact, these waves can stretch as far as 50-60 miles wide. Meanwhile, the US Warning System issued a similar tsunami threat for Cuba, with waves expected to reach between 3 and 10 feet, excluding some areas.

Tsunami Warnings Lifted for Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands

Tsunami warnings for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands were eventually lifted. However, earlier, a National Weather Service tsunami advisory had urged residents to avoid the water. In response, Puerto Rico's Governor, Jenniffer González Colón, advised residents to “get out of the water immediately, especially on the west and south coasts of the island.” She added, “Although no major impact event is anticipated, no one should be in the water until further notice.”

USGS Revises Earthquake Magnitude

Initially, the US Geological Survey reported the earthquake as a magnitude 8.0. However, it later reassessed the earthquake and downgraded it to 7.6. The USGS clarified that the shaking did not pose a significant threat to the population. “Large earthquakes at this location of the plate boundary are not unexpected,” the agency stated.

History of Earthquakes in the Region

The region has experienced 10 earthquakes with magnitudes of 6 or higher in the past century. For instance, one of the most notable earthquakes occurred on January 10, 2018, when a 7.5 magnitude tremor caused minor damage and a small tsunami. However, due to the remote location of these quakes, the risk of major damage from shaking remains low.