Massive 7.6 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes In The Caribbean

BREAKING: 7.6 magnitude earthquake shakes the Caribbean Sea

A magnitude 7.6 earthquake shook the Caribbean Sea early Tuesday night with hazardous tsunami waves possible.

The earthquake occurred west of Jamaica at a depth of just 6.2 miles (10 km). 

According to the National Tsunami Warning Center (NTWC), hazardous tsunami waves are possible within 621 miles (1,000 km) of the quake's epicenter. 

Hazardous tsunami waves up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) above tide level are possible for some coasts of Honduras and Belize. 

Smaller changes in sea levels are possible for other areas in the Caribbean, including Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, Belize, Honduras and Cayman Islands, according to the NTWC. 

People near the coast should seek higher ground immediately. 

A tsunami advisory was issued for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Island and the British Virgin Islands shortly after the earthquake hit, but was later canceled. 

No tsunami is expected along the United States' Gulf and East Coasts. 

Tsunami Info Stmt: M7.8 in the Caribbean Sea
2152EST Jan 9: Tsunami NOT expected; U.S. Atlantic or Gulf Coast

#NTWC

— NWS Tsunami Alerts (@NWS_NTWC) January 10, 2018

Tuesday night's earthquake was stronger than the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that devastated Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010. 

This is a developing story. Continue to check back for more updates.

Massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake strikes in the Caribbean

• The 7.6 magnitude earthquake occurred on Tuesday night at about 9.51pm
• It struck in the Caribbean Sea just over 25 miles from the coast of Great Swan Island belonging to Honduras
• The earthquake had a depth of 6.2 miles
• A tsunami advisory was in effect for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands
• The wave could also potentially impact the coasts of Central American nations, including Jamaica, Cuba and the Cayman Islands 

A massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake has struck the Caribbean Sea, prompting a tsunami warning for nearby islands including the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Jamaica.

The tremor occurred on Tuesday night at about 9.51pm just over 25 miles from the coast of Great Swan Island belonging to Honduras.

The earthquake had a depth of 6.2 miles, according to the US Geological Survey.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said a tsunami advisory was in effect for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands after the earthquake and warned of possible waves up to 3 feet above tide level.

The wave could also potentially impact the coasts of Central American nations, including Jamaica, Cuba and the Cayman Islands. 

The quake rattled windows in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa, which is roughly 323 miles 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. 

President Juan Orlando Hernandez via Twitter said that Honduras had activated its emergency system and asked people to remain calm. 

Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands are still recovering from the devastating hurricane that struck in September last year.