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 factors contribute to the seismic activity in eastern Cuba?
**Interview with Dr. Maria Lopez, Seismologist at the National Center for Seismological Research (Cenais)**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Lopez. Can you tell us more about the recent earthquakes that struck eastern Cuba?
**Dr. Lopez:** Thank you for having me. Yes, we recorded two significant earthquakes today. The first occurred at 10:50 am with a magnitude of 6.7, located 48 kilometers southeast of Pilón. The second one followed closely at 11:49 am, also a magnitude of 6.7, but this one was slightly closer, at 32 kilometers southeast of the same municipality.
**Interviewer:** That’s quite a sequence of events. Can you explain what might have contributed to these quakes?
**Dr. Lopez:** Cuba is located near several tectonic boundaries, which makes it susceptible to seismic activity. These earthquakes are likely the result of the shifting tectonic plates beneath the region. It’s important to note that while these quakes were strong, the depth at which they occurred—about 10 kilometers—tends to limit the damage to surface structures.
**Interviewer:** Has there been any reported damage or injuries following these earthquakes?
**Dr. Lopez:** As of now, we have no confirmed reports of damage to people or material. Our teams are monitoring the situation closely and are in contact with local authorities to assess any impact. The situation remains fluid, and we urge residents to stay alert for updates.
**Interviewer:** What steps can local communities take to prepare for and respond to such seismic events?
**Dr. Lopez:** Education is paramount. Communities should have emergency plans in place, conduct drills, and ensure that all buildings comply with seismic safety regulations. It’s also wise to stay informed through official channels and heed any alerts from local authorities following significant tremors.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Lopez. We wish you and your team the best as you continue to monitor this situation.
**Dr. Lopez:** Thank you. We appreciate your coverage and support in keeping the public informed.
