Caribbean Region: A powerful earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale rattled the Caribbean region, triggering tsunami warnings for Cuba, Honduras, and the Cayman Islands.

According to Syrian Arab News Agency, the U.S. Geological Survey reported that the earthquake’s epicenter was in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. Waves reaching up to 3 meters (nearly 10 feet) were expected in Cuba, and waves up to 1 meter (3 feet) were anticipated in Honduras and the Cayman Islands, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, which initially placed nine other countries on alert.

Two strong earthquakes struck off the southern coast of Cuba in mid-November, but caused no casualties or tsunami warnings.