The National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning on Saturday evening for the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. This alert followed a powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake that struck in the Caribbean Sea. Occurring at a depth of 10 km, the earthquake was located north of Honduras and southwest of the Cayman Islands. The warning was lifted by 9:12 p.m. after it was determined that there was no further threat.
The earthquake, which resulted in a minor tsunami of 1.2 inches measured on the Yucatan Peninsula's Isla Mujeres in Mexico, is part of a pattern of seismic activity in the region. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) noted that large earthquakes at this plate boundary are common, referencing a similar event on January 10, 2018, with a magnitude of 7.5. That previous earthquake caused some damage and a small tsunami, underscoring the potential hazards associated with such seismic events.
"Large earthquakes at this location of the plate boundary are not unexpected," stated the geological survey.
The USGS attributed the earthquake to "strike slip faulting in the shallow crust near the boundary between the North American and Caribbean plates." They highlighted that this region has seen several earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or larger within 250 km in recent years, adding to the geological volatility of this area.
"Earthquakes 6.0 and larger have occurred within 250 km of today's earthquake in the current century," according to the geological survey.
Fortunately, the remote location of these earthquakes often limits potential damage due to shaking. The agency emphasized that while sea level fluctuations and strong ocean currents could pose risks along coasts and beaches, no significant damage was reported this time.
"Luckily, the remote location of these earthquakes limits the potential for significant damage due to shaking," commented the agency.
In this instance, there was no tsunami danger for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or the continental United States. The tsunami warning system confirmed that no threat existed for the U.S. Atlantic or Gulf Coast.
"The tsunami threat has passed," announced the National Tsunami Warning Center.
The incident serves as a reminder of the seismic activity inherent to this region. Continued monitoring and preparedness remain crucial for mitigating risks associated with such natural events.
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