Tsunami advisory issued after magnitude 7.6 earthquake hits Caribbean
World News | Understand the tsunami threat to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, with potential sea level changes and strong ocean currents posing hazards to coastal regions.
A Tsunami advisory was issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 occurred 129 miles southwest of Georgetown, Cayman Islands, according to US monitoring agencies. USGS reported that the earthquake took place at 6.23 pm Eastern Time Saturday.
Waves as high as nearly 10 feet were possible in some coastal areas of Cuba, according to the US Tsunami Warning System. The waves of up to three feet could hit Honduras and the Cayman Islands.
Residents urged to 'move inland'
The Cayman Islands government issued a warning message on its website, urging the residents living near the coastline to "move inland".
After initially warning of tsunami threats to more than a dozen countries, the US government monitor later cancelled all but three of its alerts and said "small sea level changes may occur".
The US Geological Survey said the temblor struck at a shallow depth.
The data suggest that there is a tsunami threat to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, CNN reported, further stating that sea level fluctuations and strong ocean currents could be a hazard along coasts, beaches, harbours and in coastal waters.
(With inputs from agencies)