The United States' National Tsunami Warning Center (NWS) announced on Saturday the cancellation of all tsunami alerts that were activated for various Caribbean regions after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck north of Honduras. "No tsunami warning, advisory, watch, or threat," stated the agency on its website.
Following the seismic event, a tsunami alert was initially issued for over a dozen countries in the area, including the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Cuba, Mexico, Honduras, the Bahamas, San Andrés and Providencia, Belize, Haiti, Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. However, hours later, the center confirmed via Twitter that no threats remained. "With the latest models and information, the tsunami threat has passed. No alerts are posted for the United States or international partners," it assured.
Nevertheless, the message advised that unusual currents might still be observed in some locations, urging residents to "take usual precautions." Cuba, Honduras, and the Cayman Islands were the nations where the alert persisted the longest.
The powerful quake occurred at 6:26 PM (Cuban time), with its epicenter located near the Cayman Islands, approximately 202 kilometers southwest of Georgetown, at a depth of 33 kilometers. The National Seismological Service of Cuba reported the earthquake's perceptibility, with social media users claiming to have felt the tremors in Pinar del Río, Isla de la Juventud, Havana, Matanzas, and Cienfuegos.
Hours later, Enrique Diego Arango, Head of the National Seismological Service of Cuba, stated there was no evidence suggesting a potential tsunami in the Caribbean following the earthquake and no sea alterations were recorded in the affected areas. "Initially, this earthquake was reported as an 8.0 magnitude, but subsequent data from various stations have revised it to a lower magnitude," he explained on his Facebook page.
"This type of fault generally does not generate tsunamis. There is no historical record of tsunamis occurring with earthquakes on this fault. Tsunami protocols activate automatically but do not necessarily mean one will occur," he added.
Understanding Earthquake and Tsunami Alerts in the Caribbean
What caused the recent tsunami alert in the Caribbean?
The recent tsunami alert in the Caribbean was triggered by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake that occurred north of Honduras, prompting automatic activation of tsunami protocols.
Which countries were initially affected by the tsunami alert?
Countries initially affected included the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Cuba, Mexico, Honduras, the Bahamas, San Andrés and Providencia, Belize, Haiti, Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, and Guatemala.
Was there any actual tsunami threat after the earthquake?
No, the updated models and information confirmed that there was no ongoing tsunami threat following the earthquake.
How did the magnitude of the earthquake change over time?
The earthquake's magnitude was initially reported as 8.0 but was revised to a lower magnitude as more data from various stations were analyzed.