7.6 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes North of Honduras

Earthquake epicenter. USGS

UPDATE: Tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands cancelled as of 12:14 a.m AST, Wednesday, Jan. 10

A 7.6 magnitude earthquake has struck north of Honduras at 8:51 p.m. local time, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The epicenter registered at a depth of 6.2 miles just 125.4 miles north, northeast of Barra Patucca on the Honduras coastline – near Great Swan Island.

More than 100 people reported feeling tremors from the quake. No damage or injuries have been reported at the current time.

The quake was initially reported as a 7.8 magnitude quake, but has since been downgraded to 7.6 by the USGS.

Tsunami waves of up to 3.3 feet above tide level are possible for some coastal areas of Cuba, Mexico, Hondura, Belize and Jamaica, according to the National Weather Service.

Also, those in Costa Rica, Panama, Cayman Islands, Panama, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands could be affected. People near the coastline are advised to seek higher ground immediately.

Tsunami advisory. Screenshot via www.tsunami.gov

A tsunami advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.

“A tsunami advisory is issued when a tsunami with the potential to generate strong currents or waves dangerous to those in or very near the water is imminent, expected, or occurring,” according to the U.S. Tsunami Warning System operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

According to the advisory, the earliest time changes to the sea level for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands is 1:24 AM Atlantic Standard Time (AST) on Wednesday, Jan. 10.

The advisory noted that the generation of tsunami waves was not confirmed, but it is recommended that persons located in or near the ocean to move out of the water and away from beaches, harbors, marinas, bays and inlets.

The 7.6 magnitude earthquake is one of the largest on record in the Caribbean. It was stronger than the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010.

Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández tweeted reassurance that emergency systems are in place, and for everyone to remain calm.

From NTD.tv