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BREAKING: Violent 7.6 Earthquake Shakes Caribbean Islands, Tsunami Warnings Issued Along Gulf Coast


A violent earthquake just struck in the Caribbean region setting off alerts and warnings for the entire region.

Initially the quake was being reported as an 8.0, but has since been specified to have been a very strong 7.6.

Bouy’s in the Gulf of American are pinging to a possible tsunami, corresponding with the tsunami alerts that have been issued.

Tsunami advisory has been put in effect for areas inside the Caribbean, according to Fox Weather:

A Tsunami Advisory was briefly in effect for Puerto Rico and nearby islands after a powerful earthquake struck between Honduras and the Cayman Islands on Saturday evening in the Caribbean Sea.

The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6, prompted authorities to warn of potential sea-level fluctuations and strong ocean currents that could pose a hazard to boaters and beachgoers.

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No damage was reported in the immediate aftermath of the major quake which was centered more than 100 miles southwest of Georgetown in the Cayman Islands, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The fault line that runs near the islands is known as Cayman Trough and marks the boundary between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates.

Aftershocks can last for months or even years after the main event.

The USGS says these mini-earthquakes are caused by the readjustments of the fault and usually not as strong as the original quake.

According to multiple reports, officials are still assessing the potential for tsunami threat in the Gulf of America from Texas to Florida.

The quake struck at approximately 6:30pm local time.

Multiple Caribbean nations are still under potential threat of Tsunamis according to a report from the New York Post:

A magnitude 7.6 earthquake was reported in the middle of the Caribbean Sea Saturday night — triggering a tsunami warning along the Mexican coastline.

The earthquake was reported just before 6:30 p.m local time about 125 miles south-southwest of George Town in the Cayman Islands at a depth of about 6 miles, according to the US Geological Survey.

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The event sparked a tsunami warning, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Jamaica, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, Belize and Haiti are currently under a potential threat of a tsunami.

Tsunami advisories have been issued in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, reports show.

This is a developing story.  We will bring you updates as information becomes available.



 

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