A 7.6 magnitude earthquake shakes the Caribbean southwest of Cayman Islands, USGS says

MEXICO CITY — A magnitude-7.6 earthquake shook the Caribbean Sea southwest of Cayman Islands Saturday, in response to the U.S. Geological Survey, and a few islands and nations urged individuals close to the shoreline to maneuver inland in case of a tsunami.

The quake struck at 6:23 p.m. native time in the midst of the ocean and had a depth of 10 kilometers, the USGS mentioned. Its epicenter was situated 130 miles (209 kilometers) south-southwest of George City within the Cayman Islands.

The U.S. Nationwide Tsunami Warning Heart mentioned there is no such thing as a tsunami alert for the U.S. mainland however issued a tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Hazard Administration Cayman Islands urged residents situated close to the coast to maneuver inland and to increased floor. It mentioned wave heights of 0.3 to 1 meter are anticipated.

Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González Colón mentioned in an announcement she is involved with emergency businesses after the tsunami advisory, however didn’t advocate anybody to depart the coast.

The Dominican authorities additionally issued a tsunami alert and beneficial residents on the coast to maneuver to excessive areas “of greater than 20 meters of altitude and a couple of kilometers inland.” It additionally urged ships to steer away or keep away from getting into the ocean for the following few hours.

The Cuban authorities requested individuals to depart beachfront areas.

Honduran authorities mentioned aren’t any rapid stories of damages, however urged its residents to steer clear of seashores within the subsequent few hours, native media mentioned.

Later, the U.S. authorities’s Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration mentioned “tsunami waves reaching 1 to three meters above the tide stage are doable alongside some coasts of Cuba.” It added waves between 0.3 and 1 meter above the tide stage are doable for some coasts of Honduras and Cayman Islands..

“Precise amplitudes on the coast could range from forecast amplitudes resulting from uncertainties within the forecast and native options,” the NOAA mentioned in a report.