• Mou Mou
• 09 Feb, 2025

Strong Earthquake Rocks the Caribbean, Tsunami Alert Issued

A powerful earthquake struck the Caribbean Sea sending shockwaves across multiple coastal regions. The tremors originated deep beneath the ocean floor triggering concerns of a possible tsunami. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS) the quake registered “7.6 on the Richter scale” prompting immediate safety alerts for surrounding countries.

Epicenter and Impacted Regions

The earthquake's epicenter was located 129 miles south-southwest of George Town, Cayman Islands with seismic waves emerging from a depth of 10 miles beneath the seabed. The tremors were felt across Jamaica, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, Belize and Haiti. Coastal regions in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands also issued initial tsunami warnings later lifted.

Tsunami Alert, High Waves Expected

The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center is closely monitoring the situation. Authorities warn that coastal areas particularly Cuba's shores may experience waves as high as 10 feet. Reports suggest a rapid rise in sea levels along Puerto Rico’s coastline, where waves began surging at 8:46 PM local time.

Governments Take Emergency Measures

- Puerto Rico Governor Jennifer Gonzalez is coordinating with emergency response teams.

- The Dominican government has ordered evacuations within 2 kilometers of coastal areas and banned all sea travel.

- Cuba and Honduras have urged residents to move away from low-lying areas as a precautionary measure.

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What Caused This Massive Earthquake.?

Seismologists believe this earthquake was triggered by a shift along the boundary between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates. The fault zone beneath the sea is known for its shallow yet intense seismic activity, which can generate powerful tsunamis. Scientists however remain hopeful that due to the quake’s offshore location damages on land may remain minimal.