Honduras (January 10, 2018): has been rocked by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake.The monster quake struck off the coast of the Caribbean country, with tsunami waves possible in region, the United States Geological Survey said.
The depth of the quake was 10km which would have amplified its effect. It was initially recorded as a 7.8 magnitude, but then downgraded to 7.6.The tsunami advisory is in effect for Puerto Rico and the US. Virgin Islands, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.
“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,” the warning read.
Areas under threat include the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Mexico, Honduras, Cuba, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua and Guatemala.
Waves of up to one metre above tide level are possible.
The quake rattled windows in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa about 520km to the east, but no damage was immediately reported. It was also lightly felt in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo north of Honduras, according to Mexico’s civil protection director.
The northern coast of Honduras closest to the quake’s epicenter is sparsely populated, with much of it covered by nature reserves. Some people in the capital of Tegucigalpa said they did not feel the tremor.
President Juan Orlando Hernandez via Twitter said that Honduras had activated its emergency system and asked people to remain calm.
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