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 are the immediate actions residents should take after experiencing significant earthquakes like those near Cuba?
**Interview with Dr. Elena Rivera, Seismologist at the National Center for Seismological Research (Cenais)**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Rivera. We’ve just experienced two significant earthquakes near Cuba today, the first measuring 5.9 and the second measuring 6.7. Can you tell us about the geophysical context of these events?
**Dr. Rivera:** Thank you for having me. Yes, it’s quite unusual to have two earthquakes of this magnitude occur so closely together. The first earthquake, which struck at 10:50 a.m., was located southeast of Pilón in Granma province. It was followed closely by another larger quake at 11:49 a.m. located just a bit further southeast. Both occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, which is relatively shallow, making them feel stronger at the surface.
**Interviewer:** That’s fascinating. Have there been any reports of damage or injuries following these quakes?
**Dr. Rivera:** So far, we have not received confirmation of any damage to structures or injuries to people. Our teams are on high alert and are actively assessing the situation. We always urge residents to remain vigilant and report any issues they may observe.
**Interviewer:** What should residents do in the aftermath of such earthquakes? Are there safety protocols they should be following?
**Dr. Rivera:** Yes, definitely. It’s essential for residents to check their surroundings for any potential dangers, such as falling debris. They should also be prepared in case aftershocks occur, as these can often follow larger quakes. Having an emergency kit ready, staying informed through local news, and adhering to any updates from authorities are all crucial steps.
**Interviewer:** Considering the frequency of seismic activity in this region, what measures does Cenais take to monitor these events and keep the public informed?
**Dr. Rivera:** We have a robust monitoring system in place, equipped with seismographs and sensors to detect earthquakes in real-time. We also maintain close communication with local authorities and emergency services to provide timely updates to the public. Education about seismic safety is another critical component of our work.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Rivera, for your insights and expertise. We appreciate your efforts in keeping the community informed during these significant seismic events.
**Dr. Rivera:** Thank you for having me. It’s important we all stay safe and informed.