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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**Interview with Dr. Laura Martinez, Seismologist at the National Center for Seismological Research (Cenais)**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Martinez. We recently experienced two significant earthquakes in Cuba within a short span of time. Can you tell us more about what happened?
**Dr. Martinez:** Yes, thank you for having me. On Sunday, we recorded two earthquakes in the eastern region of Cuba. The first one was at 10:50 AM with a magnitude of 6.7, and the second followed at 11:49 AM with a magnitude of 6.8. The epicenters of both earthquakes were located southeast of the municipality of Pilón in Granma province, at depths of 10 kilometers.
**Interviewer:** That’s quite a rapid succession of earthquakes. What can you tell us about the potential impact on the local population and infrastructure?
**Dr. Martinez:** Fortunately, as of now, we have not received any reports of significant damage or injuries. The location of these earthquakes in relatively remote areas may have contributed to minimizing their impact. However, we are closely monitoring the situation and are prepared to assess damages if they occur.
**Interviewer:** Given the ongoing challenges in Cuba, including recent hurricanes, how do you think these earthquakes might compound existing issues?
**Dr. Martinez:** It’s definitely a concerning situation. The island has been experiencing a challenging time with hurricanes and resulting blackouts, and natural disasters tend to strain resources further. Should any damage occur from these earthquakes, it could impede recovery efforts from the earlier storms. We encourage residents to stay vigilant and prepared.
**Interviewer:** What steps is Cenais taking to ensure the safety of the residents in the affected areas?
**Dr. Martinez:** We are actively working with local authorities to provide real-time data and updates. Our monitoring systems are in place to detect aftershocks, and we are ready to advise on safety protocols. Public preparedness is essential, and we recommend that everyone knows how to react during seismic events.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Martinez, for your insights. We hope the situation remains stable and that the people of Cuba stay safe amid these challenges.
**Dr. Martinez:** Thank you, and I appreciate the opportunity to share this important information.