Tsunami warning canceled after 7.6 magnitude earthquake hits the Caribbean Sea - What we know

On February 8, 2025, a powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit the Northwestern Caribbean Sea, initiating a Tsunami alert 130 miles southwest of Grand and 20 miles north of Honduras. According to the Associated Press, an advisory, which was in place for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, has been taken down.

As per KHOU 11, it was originally an 8.0 earth tremor but was reduced to 7.6 after some research. Despite that, the US Tsunami Warning Center has issued an advisory adjusted to a sea-level fluctuation. The National Tsunami Warning Center has shared a Facebook post writing:

“With the latest modeling and information, the tsunami threat has passed. There are no alerts posted for the United States or International Partners. The tsunami threat has passed. Unusual currents may be noticed in some areas. Exercise normal caution.”

The US Geological Survey explained that the earth tremor southwest of the Cayman Islands happened due to movement along a fault in the Earth's crust near the boundary between the North American and Caribbean plates. The plates shift at about 20 mm per year, with the North American plate moving west-southwest.

This motion is mainly absorbed by the Swan Islands transform fault, a left-lateral fault in the region. The earth tremor's location, depth, and movement pattern suggest it occurred along this fault or a nearby one connected to it. The agency also noted:

“Large earthquakes at this location of the plate boundary are not unexpected. Ten M6 or larger earthquakes have occurred within 250 km the February 8, 2025 earthquake over the preceding century. Notably, on January 10, 2018, an M7.5 earthquake occurred nearby with a similar mechanism.”

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Puerto Rico Governor issued a statement regarding the earthquake and Tsunami alert

Politician and Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González Colón took to her X on February 9, 2025, to issue an alert about the situation at hand. She alerted people to be attentive to the weather conditions and advisory issued by the National Weather Service.

Her post included an image providing warning levels and safety instructions in Spanish and English. It advises immediate evacuation to higher ground if there is a strong or long tremor, sudden sea level changes, or loud ocean noises.

As seen in the translated version of the post, a "Warning" indicates imminent danger, requiring urgent evacuation. An "Advisory" warns of strong local currents, advising people to leave beaches and marinas.

A "Watch" means a tsunami is possible, but its impact is uncertain, so updates should be followed. An "Information Statement" confirms an earth tremor occurred but no seismic sea wave warning, advisory, or watch has been issued.

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NewsX Live showed the underwater disruptions caused by the earthquake as captured by undersea videographers. Besides that, more than 300 reports of tremors were felt across the affected places.

A CCTV footage of a shopping center showed people casually walking around when the tremors were felt. The ones on the streets ran to seek shelter in safer zones. People have been urged to stay away from the coastlines.