Tsunami Alerts Canceled After Powerful Caribbean Earthquake

Tsunami warnings issued following a powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake in the Caribbean Sea have been canceled, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The earthquake struck on Saturday evening local time, with its epicenter located about 20 miles (32.1 km) north of Honduras and 130 miles (209.2 km) southwest of the Cayman Islands.

Initially, the US Tsunami Warning System issued alerts for over a dozen countries, warning of potential waves up to three meters (10 feet). However, the threat was later deemed to have passed.

Advisories were also issued for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands but were subsequently lifted. The Cayman Islands government had urged coastal residents to move inland as a precaution.

Authorities have not yet confirmed any damage or significant land movement.

According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this was the strongest earthquake in the region since 2021, when a 7.2-magnitude quake struck Haiti.

Approximately three hours after the quake, US authorities warned of possible minor sea-level fluctuations of up to 30 cm (11.8 inches), though no major threat remained.

The USGS noted that strong earthquakes in this area of the plate boundary are not uncommon. A similar 7.5-magnitude earthquake occurred nearby in 2018, causing some damage and a small tsunami.

Meanwhile, the US National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that no alerts had been issued for the mainland United States.