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
How does the occurrence of these earthquakes reflect the seismic risk in eastern Cuba compared to other regions?
**Short Interview on Recent Earthquakes in Cuba**
**Editor:** Welcome to our special segment on the recent seismic activity off the eastern coast of Cuba. Joining us today is Dr. Elena Ramirez, a seismologist with the National Center for Seismological Research in Cuba. Thank you for being here, Dr. Ramirez.
**Dr. Ramirez:** Thank you for having me.
**Editor:** Dr. Ramirez, we’ve just seen reports of a notable 6.7 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Granma province. Can you provide some context on the timing and location of these events?
**Dr. Ramirez:** Certainly. On Sunday, we experienced two significant earthquakes. The first tremor struck at 10:50 AM, with a magnitude of 6.7, located about 48 kilometers southeast of Pilón. The second tremor followed shortly after at 11:49 AM, registering at 6.8 magnitude and located 32 kilometers southeast of Pilón, both at a depth of around 10 kilometers [[1](https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/10/americas/earthquake-cuba-intl-latam/index.html)].
**Editor:** That’s quite a rapid succession of earthquakes. Has there been any information on potential damage or casualties from these quakes?
**Dr. Ramirez:** So far, there have been no confirmed reports of damage to infrastructure or casualties. However, our teams are still assessing the situation in the affected areas, and we encourage residents to remain vigilant and prepared for aftershocks, as they can often follow significant seismic events.
**Editor:** Given that these quakes occurred in quick succession, how common is this sort of activity in that region of Cuba?
**Dr. Ramirez:** Eastern Cuba is in a tectonically active zone, and while we do often experience seismic activity, significant earthquakes of this magnitude are less common. Our monitoring systems are in place to provide timely data and warnings to help mitigate risks in future events.
**Editor:** And what steps should residents take in the wake of these earthquakes?
**Dr. Ramirez:** It’s essential for residents to have emergency plans in place and to be aware of safety protocols during and after an earthquake. This includes knowing how to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” during a tremor, checking for injuries afterward, and avoiding potential hazards in the home.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Ramirez, for your insights and guidance on this critical situation. We’ll continue to monitor developments in the area and provide updates as more information becomes available.
**Dr. Ramirez:** Thank you for having me. Stay safe, everyone.
