Strong Earthquake rocks the Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands was rocked on Tuesday afternoon by a massive earthquake registering 7.7 on the Richter scale.

 It was the most severe shock felt in the territory in recent memory and follows one measuring 5.0 last December.

Damage reports are sketchy at present but residents are understandably distraught.

The Cayman Islands National Emergency advised that the risk of a tsunami following Tuesday afternoon’s huge earthquake had been downgraded.

“Our latest information is that it is unlikely the Cayman Islands will be impacted by a damaging tsunami. There is a very low risk at this point.

Information from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center indicates the first wave would have already passed the Cayman Islands.

The main threat now relates to the possibility of aftershocks.

We are currently monitoring the situation and will update as soon as possible.”

The agency says the earthquake this afternoon was reported by the US Geological Survey(USGS) to have occurred approximately 80 miles ESE of Cayman Brac.

Initial reports put it at 7.7 on the Richter scale according to the USGS.

It was the most severe shock felt in the territory in recent memory and follows one measuring 5.0 last December.

Damage reports are sketchy at present but residents are understandably distraught and concerned.

The centre of the quake was a relatively shallow six miles beneath the surface of the Caribbean Sea.

Nearby Puerto Rico was rocked by a huge earthquake a few weeks ago.

Recently a swarm of earthquakes have been reported across the Caribbean region.

Strong Earthquake rocks the Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands was rocked this afternoon by a massive earthquake registering 7.7 on the Richter scale.

It was the most severe shock felt in the territory in recent memory and follows one measuring 5.0 last December.

Damage reports are sketchy at present but residents are understandably distraught.

A tsunami warning has been issued for the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Cuba.

The US Geological Survey said the 7.7-magnitude quake hit off the northwest coast of Jamaica, prompting the US Tsunami Warning Center to issue an alert.

The centre of the quake was a relatively shallow six miles beneath the surface of the ocean, prompting fears of damage. Shallower earthquakes tend to be more destructive.

There’s an alert for possible tsunami waves likely to affect the Cayman Islands, Cuba, Jamaica and as far away as Belize, Honduras and Mexico.

Nearby Puerto Rico was rocked by a huge earthquake a few weeks ago.

Recently a series of earthquakes have been reported across the Caribbean region.