Major earthquake shakes Caribbean with islands watching for tsunami potential

While you may think quakes are a western US problem, some of the largest temblors in US history have happened in the East.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A Tsunami Advisory was briefly in effect for Puerto Rico and nearby islands after a powerful earthquake struck between Honduras and the Cayman Islands on Saturday evening in the Caribbean Sea.

The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6, prompted authorities to warn of potential sea-level fluctuations and strong ocean currents that could pose a hazard to boaters and beachgoers.

No damage was reported in the immediate aftermath of the major quake which was centered more than 100 miles southwest of Georgetown in the Cayman Islands, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Caribbean earthquake tracker 2/8/2025

(FOX Weather)

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The fault line that runs near the islands is known as Cayman Trough and marks the boundary between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates.

Aftershocks can last for months or even years after the main event. 

The USGS says these mini-earthquakes are caused by the readjustments of the fault and usually not as strong as the original quake.

Caribbean tsunami alerts from 2/8/2025

(FOX Weather)