An earthquake of magnitude 6.7 on the open Richter scale shook the eastern region of Cuba, the second reported this Sunday, without confirmation of damage to people or materials so far, according to the National Center for Seismological Research (Cenais). .
This new earthquake was recorded at 11:49 am, located 32 kilometers southeast of the Pilón municipality, in the Granma province, and at a depth of 10 kilometers.
The earthquake that preceded it took place at 10:50 am at 19.75 degrees north latitude and 76.91 degrees west longitude, also at a depth of 10 kilometers and also with an epicenter located 48 km southeast of Pilón.
Cenais indicated that in addition to Granma, the movement was perceived in the eastern provinces of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba and Holguín. Likewise, it was felt in Camagüey and Ciego de Ávila, in the central-east.
These earthquakes have as a precedent the 5.1 magnitude recorded on October 17 and which was felt in Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo and Granma (east), without reporting material damage.
The eastern provinces add these shocks to the intense rain storms received in recent days, and in particular Guantánamo, which was severely affected three weeks ago by the impact of tropical storm Óscar, with a death toll of eight and considerable damage to homes. and agriculture.
Cuba registered a total of 7,475 earthquakes in 2023, of which 14 were perceptible, according to the Cenais annual summary. The magnitudes ranged from less than 3 to 5.9 on the Richter scale.
The Oriente geological fault, the main area of seismic activity in Cuba, marked the highest number of earthquakes in the Caribbean country in the past year.
About 70% of the telluric movements are reported in this Oriente fault, located along the southeast coast of the island. In 2018, there were 15 perceptible movements in that area alone.
Cuba is located in a region – spanning from the Dominican Republic to Mexico – in which different tectonic fault systems converge with significant seismic activity.
Other large magnitude earthquakes have previously been documented in Cuba, such as the one of 6.7 on the Richter scale recorded in February 1932, and those of 6.9 -in 1991- and 7.1 -in 2020-, both located in the Granma province.
Cuba / EFE
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What were the specific locations and magnitudes of the recent earthquakes recorded in Cuba?
**Interview with Dr. Roberto Gomez, Seismologist at the National Center for Seismological Research (Cenais)**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Gomez, to discuss the recent earthquakes in Cuba. Can you give us a brief overview of what happened this Sunday?
**Dr. Gomez**: Thank you for having me. On Sunday, we recorded two significant earthquakes in the eastern region of Cuba. The first occurred at 10:50 AM with a magnitude of 6.7, followed by another earthquake at 11:49 AM. Both were located near Pilón in the Granma province, at a depth of 10 kilometers.
**Editor**: What can you tell us about the epicenters of these earthquakes?
**Dr. Gomez**: The first earthquake’s epicenter was approximately 48 kilometers southeast of Pilón, while the second one was situated about 32 kilometers southeast of the municipality. Both locations are in seismically active areas, which is not uncommon for this region.
**Editor**: Have there been any reports of damage or casualties from these earthquakes?
**Dr. Gomez**: Thankfully, we have not received any confirmations of casualties or significant damage at this time. However, we are continuing to monitor the situation closely and are in constant communication with local authorities.
**Editor**: What precautions should the citizens of Cuba take following these tremors?
**Dr. Gomez**: It’s essential for people to stay informed about safety measures. They should know how to protect themselves during an earthquake—such as “Drop, Cover, and Hold On”—and be aware of evacuation routes. Additionally, keeping emergency supplies on hand is a good practice.
**Editor**: Thank you, Dr. Gomez, for your insights. How does Cenais plan to study these events further?
**Dr. Gomez**: We’ll be analyzing the data collected from these earthquakes in collaboration with our international partners. This includes reviewing seismic patterns and assessing any long-term impacts they might have on the region’s geological stability.
**Editor**: Thank you for your time, Dr. Gomez. We hope for continued safety for everyone in Cuba.
**Dr. Gomez**: Thank you. Stay safe and vigilant.
