On February 8, 2025, a powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean Sea near the Cayman Islands, triggering an earthquakes tsunami warning for various regions.
The earthquake occurred about 130 miles south-southwest of George Town, Cayman Islands, with a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).attis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Earthquakes Tsunami Warning and Alerts for the Caribbean
The earthquakes tsunami warning was issued by the US National Tsunami Warning Center for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and parts of Cuba.
Residents in these areas were advised to stay out of the water, avoid beaches, and refrain from visiting harbors and marinas due to the potential for hazardous tsunami waves. A tsunami advisory was also issued for Honduras and the Cayman Islands, with warnings of possible wave heights between 30 centimeters and 1 meter along the coasts of these regions.
However, within hours, the tsunami warning today was scaled back. The Cayman Islands tsunami alert was canceled, and it was reported that the feared tsunami in Puerto Rico did not materialize.
The most significant tsunami event recorded was a minor water rise of 1.2 inches at Isla Mujeres, Mexico, which was considered negligible.
Earthquake and Tsunami in the Caribbean
This earthquake, located near the boundary between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates, was associated with the Cayman Trough, a known fault system. This fault has historically been the source of significant seismic activity in the region.
While Caribbean tsunami warnings are rare, the size of this earthquake prompted the authorities to issue the earthquakes tsunami warning, given the potential for tsunami waves due to the displacement of seawater.
The Caribbean earthquake caused light shaking across a broad area, including the Yucatán Peninsula, Honduras, Nicaragua, and southern Cuba. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of major damage or casualties following the earthquake.
Ongoing Monitoring of Earthquakes and Tsunami Threats
Aftershocks are common following such significant seismic events, and authorities are closely monitoring the region. The USGS earthquake tracker for the Cayman Islands earthquake shows a moderate risk for aftershocks, but these are typically less severe than the main earthquake.
Tsunamis in the Caribbean are relatively uncommon, as fault lines in the region rarely displace large amounts of seawater. The Cayman Islands earthquake was located in a region known for such seismic activity, which historically has not led to widespread Caribbean tsunami damage.
However, the earthquake in the Caribbean today serves as a reminder of the region’s vulnerability to such events, with ongoing assessments from the USGS earthquakes team.
In conclusion, while the initial earthquakes tsunami warning for the Caribbean Sea was significant, the threat has now passed.
Authorities in the Cayman Islands and other affected regions have lifted the warnings, and no major tsunami impacts have been reported.
The Cayman Islands earthquake today has highlighted the potential risks in the region, but the cancellation of the tsunami advisory suggests the danger has subsided for now.
