7.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Caribbean Sea

by Daine Taylor / January 28, 2020

A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck between Jamaica and Cuba on Tuesday afternoon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

The quake struck at 2:10 p.m. EST. It originated in the Caribbean Sea, 77 miles north-northwest of Lucea, Jamaica, where it caused severe shaking in the Northwestern region of Jamaica. The quake was apparently powerful enough to be felt in Miami. Miami-Dade Police reportedly received phone calls of buildings shaking, and multiple buildings were evacuated, according to NBC 6.

Despite dramatic images on social media, no injuries or deaths have been reported.

Security footage shows bottles come crashing down in a Cayman Islands store as a magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit the Caribbean. https://t.co/z3WvyvEdsH pic.twitter.com/Lf5HM4NkUT
— ABC News (@ABC) January 29, 2020

According to the National Weather Service Tsunami Warning Center, water levels reaching 1-3 feet above tide level were possible for some coasts of Cuba, Jamaica, Belize, Honduras and the Cayman Islands. However, only one tsunami, of .4 feet, was recorded in the Cayman Islands and no tsunami was felt in Jamaica or the Dominican Republic. According to Dr. Lucy Jones, a seismologist, the quake produced "sideways motion on the fault, so the tsunami risk [was] low. (Seafloor should move up to make tsunami.)"

The quake, despite its location in the Caribbean sea, also did not have a major impact on cruise ships.

Royal Caribbean's Adventures of the Seas, which was one of the closest ships in proximity to the quake's epicenter, pulled anchor, according to the cruise line's meteorologist James Van Fleet. Van Fleet wrote on Twitter that "we believe all Ships are safe at this time, given the height of tidal rise."

Norwegian Cruise Line, according to a statement on social media, had "no impact to our vessels" and also anticipated "no planned itinerary changes at this time" following the news.

"We are monitoring the situation and remain in close contact with local officials. As always, our top priority is the safety and security of our guests and crew."

All Carnival Cruise Line ships were also safe following the quake, according to a statement on social media.

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