The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center said a tsunami was not expected, but advisories have been issued for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 hit the Caribbean Sea southwest of the Cayman Islands on Saturday, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. Following the seismic activity, some nearby islands and countries advised residents along the coastline to relocate inland as a precaution against potential tsunamis.
The earthquake occurred at 6:23 p.m. local time, located in the middle of the sea with a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the USGS. Its epicenter was positioned 130 miles (209 kilometers) south-southwest of George Town in the Cayman Islands.
While the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center clarified that there was no tsunami threat for the U.S. mainland, a tsunami advisory was issued for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, which was later lifted.
The sounding of alarm in Puerto Rico’s northwest region caused people to leave coastal areas and caused heavy traffic, according to local media.
Hazard Management Cayman Islands urged residents located near the coast to move inland and to higher ground. It said wave heights of 0.3 to 1 meter are expected.
Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González Colón said in a statement she is in contact with emergency agencies after the tsunami advisory, but did not recommend anyone leave the coast.
The Dominican government also issued a tsunami alert and recommended residents on the coast move to high areas “of more than 20 meters of altitude and 2 kilometers inland.” It also urged ships to steer away or avoid entering the sea for the next few hours.
The Cuban government requested people to leave beachfront areas. The Bahamas Department of Meteorology also issued a tsunami advisory, but urged its residents only to be “vigilant.”
Honduran authorities said there are no immediate reports of damages, but urged its residents to stay away from beaches.
Later, the U.S. government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said “tsunami waves reaching 1 to 3 meters above the tide level are possible along some coasts of Cuba.”
“Actual amplitudes at the coast may vary from forecast amplitudes due to uncertainties in the forecast and local features,” the NOAA said in a report.
