A violent shake beneath the sea jolted the Caribbean late Saturday, leaving experts scrambling to assess the full extent of the danger. As the waves begin to roll in, some coastlines brace for impact.

A massive earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, struck north of Honduras late Saturday, triggering tsunami warnings for several coastal regions. The quake occurred at 23:23 UTC on February 8, 2025, with its epicenter located at 17.8°N, 82.5°W, and a depth of 33 km (20 miles).

Following the earthquake, tsunami waves were detected, prompting an alert for certain coastal areas. According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), hazardous waves between 1 to 3 meters above tide level are expected along Cuba’s coast. Smaller waves, ranging from 0.3 to 1 meter, may impact parts of Honduras and the Cayman Islands.

Estimated Tsunami Arrival Times

The first tsunami waves are expected to reach affected regions within hours on February, 9. Estimated arrival times (UTC) include:

• Puerto Cortes, Honduras – 00:22
• Trujillo, Honduras – 01:08
• Santa Cruz del Sur, Cuba – 03:00
• Nueva Gerona, Cuba – 03:50 UTC

A tsunami is not a single wave but a series of surges. Some waves may be larger than the initial one, with intervals ranging from five minutes to an hour. The threat could persist for several hours or longer.

Officials have confirmed that no tsunami warning has been issued for the United States. However, coastal monitoring will continue as a precaution. Governments in the affected regions are advising coastal residents to stay alert and follow instructions from local officials. Evacuations may be necessary in certain areas, depending on the severity of the waves.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) also acknowledged the quake in a social media post, stating, “Notable quake, preliminary info: M 7.6 – 209 km SSW of George Town, Cayman Islands.”

This is a developing story. Authorities will provide further updates as more data becomes available./By Naomi Wanjala

Source