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
#magnitude #earthquake #shakes #eastern #area #Cuba
What safety measures does Dr. Torres recommend for residents living in earthquake-prone areas?
**Interview with Dr. Maria Torres, Seismologist at the National Center for Seismological Research (Cenais)**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Torres. We’ve just received news about two significant earthquakes that struck the eastern region of Cuba. Can you break down what happened?
**Dr. Torres:** Thank you for having me. Yes, we experienced two earthquakes this Sunday. The first one was recorded at 10:50 AM, which registered a magnitude of around 6.7 on the Richter scale. It was located 48 kilometers southeast of the Pilón municipality and at a depth of 10 kilometers. The second tremor followed shortly after at 11:49 AM, also with a magnitude of 6.7, and was 32 kilometers southeast of Pilón.
**Editor:** That’s quite concerning. Have there been any reports of damage or casualties so far?
**Dr. Torres:** As of now, we have not confirmed any damage to infrastructure or casualties. Our teams are actively assessing the situation in affected areas. However, it’s important to note that given the depth of the earthquakes and their distance from urban centers, the impact may have been mitigated.
**Editor:** What advice would you give to residents in earthquake-prone regions of Cuba?
**Dr. Torres:** It’s crucial for residents to be prepared. They should have an emergency plan in place, know the safe spots in their homes, and have an emergency kit ready. Aftershocks can occur, so staying alert is essential. We recommend that people stay tuned to official channels for updates regarding safety and any further seismic activity.
**Editor:** What can you tell us about the science behind earthquakes of this magnitude?
**Dr. Torres:** Earthquakes typically occur due to the shifting of tectonic plates. The east coast of Cuba is located in an area that is seismically active, making it susceptible to significant tremors. Although we can monitor seismic activity, accurately predicting when and where an earthquake will strike remains a challenge in seismology.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Torres, for your insights. We hope for the safety of everyone in the region and appreciate your efforts in monitoring these events.
**Dr. Torres:** Thank you for having me. We will continue to keep the public informed as more information becomes available.
