Powerful earthquake in Caribbean triggers brief tsunami alerts, no reports of significant damage

A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake in the Caribbean Sea Saturday night, north of Honduras and southwest of the Cayman Islands, briefly triggered tsunami alerts that were later lifted. 

The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the earthquake occurred at around 6:23 p.m. Eastern Time, with an epicenter about 129 miles southwest of George Town, the capital of the Cayman Islands, and 372 miles west of Kingston, Jamaica. 

A short time later, the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands. The advisory for those islands was later canceled. 

The warning center also reported what it described as a “tsunami threat” for Cuba, Honduras and the Cayman Islands. However, it announced later Saturday night that based on “the latest modeling and information, the tsunami threat has passed” for the entire region. 

No alerts were issued for the mainland U.S.

During the uncertainty that followed the earthquake, local authorities in the Cayman Islands and Puerto Rico warned residents to stay out of the water. 

“Although a high impact event is not anticipated, as a safety measure no one should be in the water until further notice. It is important to follow official information and avoid the spread of rumors,” Puerto Rico Seismic Network director Ángel Vázquez explained.

There have been no reports of damage from the earthquake itself, the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service told CBS News.

As of late Saturday night, at least 326 people reported feeling the quake to the USGS.