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 are the key factors that influence the magnitude of earthquakes experienced in eastern Cuba?
**Interview with Dr. Maria Lopez, Seismologist at the National Center for Seismological Research (Cenais)**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Lopez. Can you provide us with an overview of the recent earthquakes that struck eastern Cuba?
**Dr. Lopez:** Absolutely. On Sunday, we experienced two significant earthquakes in quick succession. The first occurred at 10:50 a.m. with a magnitude of 5.9, followed by a stronger earthquake at 11:49 a.m. that registered 6.7 on the Richter scale. Both tremors had their epicenter southeast of the municipality of Pilón in Granma province, at a depth of 10 kilometers.
**Editor:** That’s quite a sequence of events. Was there any immediate impact reported from these earthquakes?
**Dr. Lopez:** As of now, there haven’t been any confirmed reports of damage to people or property from either tremor. Our teams are actively monitoring the situation and are in communication with local authorities to assess any impacts. It’s critical to confirm the safety and well-being of the residents in affected areas.
**Editor:** What protocols does Cenais follow in the immediate aftermath of such seismic events?
**Dr. Lopez:** We prioritize real-time monitoring and data collection. After earthquakes, we assess their impact and evaluate the potential for aftershocks. We also work closely with local emergency services to ensure that communities are prepared and informed. Education about earthquake response is essential in minimizing risks.
**Editor:** Given this recent activity, should residents in eastern Cuba be concerned about additional seismic events?
**Dr. Lopez:** While there’s always a potential for aftershocks following significant earthquakes, we’ll continue to monitor the situation closely. People should remain vigilant but not panic. Having an emergency plan and being informed is always a good strategy when living in seismically active regions.
**Editor:** Thank you for shedding light on this important topic, Dr. Lopez. We appreciate your insights and the work that Cenais is doing to keep the community safe.
**Dr. Lopez:** Thank you for having me. It’s important for everyone to stay informed and prepared.
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This interview follows the context of recent earthquakes in Cuba, discussing their magnitude and the response from the National Center for Seismological Research [[1](https://weather.com/news/news/2024-11-10-earthquake-strikes-south-of-cuba-santiago-de-cuba)].
