Written by: Keya Gambhir

On Saturday, February 8, 2025, a powerful earthquake struck deep in the Caribbean Sea, shaking nearby countries and issuing tsunami warnings. The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.6 on the Richter scale, making it the strongest earthquake in the region in a while. Let’s dive into some of the details of this event.

Where Did the Earthquake Happen?

The earthquake took place about 130 miles from George Town, the capital of the Cayman Islands. It was also felt in Jamaica, Cuba, Honduras, and Mexico. Since the earthquake occurred deep underwater, about 6 miles below the surface, its effects were felt far away.

Although people felt the shaking, it wasn’t very intense. Buildings swayed, and objects fell off shelves, but no major damage was reported.

What Is a Tsunami Warning?

A few minutes after the earthquake, tsunami warnings were issued for several Caribbean countries. Tsunamis are large ocean waves caused by earthquakes under the sea, and they can travel quickly, sometimes flooding coastal areas.

Countries including Honduras, Mexico, and U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands were warned to stay alert. However, only small waves, about one inch high, were recorded, and the tsunami warnings were canceled soon.

How Did People React?

Many people were very scared when the earthquake hit. Videos showed people running outside in places like Jamaica and Mexico. Some schools and businesses closed early, and some areas experienced power outages.

Governments told people along the coast to move to higher ground just in case a larger tsunami was coming. Luckily, the waves were so small that there was no major danger, and no serious injuries were reported.

Why Do Earthquakes Happen?

Earthquakes occur because of tectonic plates, which are huge pieces of the Earth’s crust that move slowly. Sometimes, these plates get stuck to each other and then suddenly slip, which causes an earthquake.

The Caribbean is located near the meeting point of the North American Plate and the Caribbean Plate, which are both very large. This is why the region is prone to earthquakes. The last major earthquake in the area happened in 2021, when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti, causing severe damage.

What Happens Next?

Even though this earthquake didn’t cause much destruction, scientists will continue to study it to understand more about earthquakes in the region. Experts also warn that there could be more earthquakes in the future, so people need to be prepared.

This earthquake was a reminder of how powerful nature can be, but thanks to quick action and staying calm, everyone remained safe. If you liked this week’s story or have an idea for next week, feel free to reach out using our contact forms!