Priyanka Tiwari
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A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake shook the Caribbean Sea southwest of the Cayman Islands on Saturday evening, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake struck at 6:23 PM local time at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) beneath the ocean's surface.
Tsunami Threat Issued for Coastal Residents
Following the tremor, the Cayman Islands government issued a tsunami threat alert, urging coastal residents to move inland for safety. However, the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center later confirmed that a tsunami was not expected from this earthquake.
Notable quake, preliminary info: M 7.6 - 209 km SSW of George Town, Cayman Islands https://t.co/uIdsEybY34
Notable quake, preliminary info: M 7.6 - 209 km SSW of George Town, Cayman Islands https://t.co/uIdsEybY34
— USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) February 8, 2025
The epicenter was located approximately 130 miles (209 kilometers) south-southwest of George Town, the capital of the Cayman Islands.
Earthquake Caused by Tectonic Plate Movement
The USGS explained that the earthquake was caused by strike-slip faulting, a type of movement that occurs along a tectonic plate boundary. Specifically, the quake took place near the North America and Caribbean plates, where the North America plate moves west-southwest at a rate of about 20 millimeters per year.
This movement is mainly accommodated by the Swan Islands transform fault, a left-lateral fault structure that has seen significant seismic activity over time.
Large Earthquakes Are Common in This Region
The USGS noted that large earthquakes in this area are not uncommon. Over the past 100 years, at least ten earthquakes of magnitude 6.0 or higher have occurred within 250 kilometers of Saturday’s tremor.
One of the most significant recent events was a 7.5-magnitude earthquake on January 10, 2018, which struck nearby with a similar faulting mechanism. That quake caused minor damage and a small tsunami.
Thankfully, due to the remote location of these earthquakes, the risk of widespread destruction and casualties remains low.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, but as of now, no major damage or injuries have been reported.
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