On Saturday Evening an Unusually powerful M7.6 Earthquake struck in the Caribbean Sea 209km from George Town (Cayman Islands).

Written by Earthquakelist.org on February 8th, 2025. Last updated March 15th, 2025.

In the evening of Saturday February 8th, 2025, an unusually powerful M7.6 earthquake hit in the Caribbean Sea 209 kilometer from George Town, Cayman Islands. The USGS has indicated there is a potential risk at tsunami's following this earthquake. Honduras is also near its epicenter.

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Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the Caribbean Sea, 209 kilometers (130 mi) off the coast of Cayman Islands, 209 kilometer south-southwest of George Town. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Feb 8, 2025 18:23 (Cayman Time) - Feb 8, 2025 23:23 Universal Time.
Location:	209 km SSW of George Town, Cayman Islands. Coordinates 17°41'28"N 82°24'54"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 7.6 Detected by 12 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.028 .
Depth:	10 km (6 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	V Moderate On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Potential tsunami risk The USGS has indicated there is a potential risk at tsunami's following this earthquake. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Potential tsunami risk

There is a potential tsunami risk in the aftermath of this earthquake, immediately evacuate to higher grounds away from coastal areas and monitor advice from local authorities. The US Geographic Survey organization has indicated a potential risk for tsunami's following this earthquake.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 68% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 98% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 5.7 million people exposed to shaking

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 5.7 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

An estimated 7,500 people were exposed to level V. At this level, moderate shaking and very light damage can be expected. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 2.9 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 7 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Honduras , around 2.3 million people, with impact levels up to V (moderate shaking, very light damage). In Nicaragua , around 0.8 million people. In Mexico , around 1.3 million people. In Cuba, Jamaica and Cayman Islands, a smaller number of people were exposed.

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Cayman Islands and Honduras are both within 300km distance of its epicenter. Futher away, this earthquake may also have been felt in Nicaragua, Jamaica, Cuba, Mexico, Colombia, Belize and Guatemala.

The closest significant population center near the earthquake is George Town in George Town, Cayman Islands. George Town is located 209 kilometer (130 mi) south-southwest of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in George Town is estimated to be around level IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (light shaking, likely no damage).

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Havana is located 605 km to the north (intensity unknown, possibly low). Kingston is located 596 km to the east (intensity unknown, possibly low). Managua is located 743 km to the south-southwest (intensity unknown, possibly low).

A complete list of nearby places is included below. Estimated intensity data (MMI) sourced from a shake-map published by the US Geographic Survey is shown where available (cities without data probably experienced little impact).

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is V. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 331 people in 16 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 331 people have reported shaking in 60 places in 16 countries (Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Barbados, Belize, Cayman Islands, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Colombia, Jamaica, Mexico, Montserrat, Panama, Costa Rica, Cuba).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico: 50 people.
• Bonfil, Quintana Roo, Mexico: 34 people.
• George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands: 33 people.
• Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico: 26 people.
• Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico: 14 people.
• Bodden Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands: 13 people.
• Tegucigalpa, Distrito Central, Honduras: 12 people.
• Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico: 12 people.
• West Bay, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands: 12 people.
• Belize, Belize, Belize: 10 people.

7 Aftershocks detected

Since this main shock, 7 smaller aftershocks were detected. A 4.8 magnitude earthquake hit 10 hrs later 56 km (35 mi) west-southwest of this earthquake.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.

The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk

This is an unusually powerful earthquake

No earthquake of this strength has struck this region for a long time. Our data goes back 10 years, and no earthquakes measuring a magnitude of 7.6 or higher have been detected within 300 km (186 mi) of this epicenter.

Sources

Last updated 15/03/25 02:58 (). As more information on this earthquake becomes available this article will be updated. This article is automatically composed based on data originating from multiple sources.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000pcdl
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20250208_0000374
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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