Minor Earthquake Near Area 51 Triggers Tsunami Warnings in Caribbean
A magnitude 2.8 earthquake struck near Area 51 in Nevada, following a 7.6 magnitude tremor in the Caribbean that triggered tsunami warnings. Although the quake was minor, its proximity to the classified base raised questions about potential structural damage. Various coastal regions received evacuation notices, but most alerts were later rescinded as authorities confirmed no significant damage occurred.
A magnitude 2.8 earthquake struck near Area 51 in Nevada, approximately 50 miles from the United States Air Force facility, following a significant tremor that prompted tsunami warnings in the Caribbean. The tremor originated east of Amargosa Valley, with the United States Geological Survey confirming its occurrence. While the quake’s intensity was minimal, potential structural damage to the classified base remains uncertain.
Nevada frequently experiences numerous minor earthquakes; recent data indicates that the region is seismically active with tens of thousands of micro tremors annually. According to Michigan Technological University, earthquakes within a magnitude range of 2.5 to 5.4 are often perceived but generally result in minor damage. This incident coincides with a larger magnitude-7.6 earthquake in the Caribbean, reported by the U.S. Geological Survey.
The USGS registered the quake at 6:23 PM local time, noting its origin at a depth of 10 kilometers, specifically 130 miles south-southwest of George Town, Caymans. Although the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center did not issue an alert for the continental United States, it did provide a tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, which was later rescinded. Residents of coastal areas received evacuation warnings due to anticipated wave heights of up to one meter.
The Cayman Islands government promptly issued an “all clear” notification on social media following the alert. Puerto Rico’s Governor Jenniffer González Colón is coordinating efforts with emergency agencies, yet she chose not to issue evacuations. Reports indicated that alarm sirens prompted residents to leave coastal regions, resulting in noticeable traffic. Similar alerts issued by the Dominican government and Honduras advised relocation to higher ground.
Cuba actively encouraged evacuation of coastal areas due to warnings indicating potential tsunami waves reaching one to three meters above normal tide levels. While immediate damage assessments showed no significant issues in Honduras, residents were advised to avoid beaches as safety precautions persisted across the region, underscoring the continued vigilance necessary in response to seismic events.
In summary, a minor earthquake near Area 51 coincided with significant seismic activity in the Caribbean, prompting tsunami warnings across various islands. Although the quake’s impact was limited, regional authorities reacted by advising evacuations and safety measures. Fortunately, these warnings were resolved shortly, and damage remains minimal, emphasizing vigilance in disaster preparedness.
Original Source: www.the-express.com
