A Mw 7.7 earthquake was detected near Jamaica, with surface waves yet to arrive at the time of reporting. The epicenter's proximity to the island raised concerns, but initial reports indicated no deaths or serious injuries. The quake was felt as far as Miami during the Super Bowl. The earthquake's shallow depth of 10 km and potential for a 3-foot tsunami were noted. Discussions highlighted the geological context, linking this event to a previous 6.4 magnitude quake in Puerto Rico, although the two events were determined to be on different tectonic settings despite being part of the same fault system. The Jamaican quake was characterized as primarily strike-slip, while the Puerto Rican event involved back-arc extensional motion, indicating different tectonic processes at play. The conversation included a request for further explanation on back-arc basins, which are formed by extensional tectonics behind subduction trenches, leading to crust thinning and potential volcanic activity.
