Desk: A powerful earthquake jolted North America on Saturday, with the German Research Center reporting a magnitude of 6.89 and a depth of 10 kilometers. Following the tremors, the U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami alert, warning of potential waves along the Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands coastlines.
However, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the earthquake at 7.6 magnitude with the same 10-kilometer depth, raising concerns about a tsunami threat in the Caribbean Sea. The tremors were felt in Mexico, Cuba, Honduras, Belize, and Haiti, creating panic among residents.
Authorities have warned that Belize, the Bahamas, and Haiti are at risk of a tsunami, while the U.S. Tsunami Warning Center clarified that there is no immediate threat to the U.S. but advised residents to stay cautious. The quake struck at 6:25 PM IST, with its epicenter located 130 miles from George Town in the Cayman Islands. As of now, no significant damage has been reported.
Global Earthquake Impact
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has also issued a tsunami alert, while a 5.2 magnitude earthquake was recorded on Greece’s Santorini Island. Greece has experienced multiple tremors in recent days, with seven earthquakes recorded on Thursday morning alone. In response, the Greek government has declared a state of emergency until March 3.
Meanwhile, Israel has also issued a tsunami warning for its coastal areas, as the earthquake’s epicenter was located 900 kilometers away from its shores.