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 key safety measures that residents in earthquake-prone areas like eastern Cuba should implement to prepare for seismic events?
**Interview with Dr. Rosa Gómez, Seismology Expert**
**Editor:** Good afternoon, Dr. Gómez. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent seismic activity in Cuba. On Sunday, two earthquakes were reported in the eastern region. Can you tell us more about what happened?
**Dr. Gómez:** Good afternoon, and thank you for having me. Yes, it was quite a significant event. The first earthquake struck at 10:50 AM with a magnitude of 6.7, located about 48 kilometers southeast of Pilón. Just under an hour later, another quake of similar magnitude—6.7—occurred at 11:49 AM, this time 32 kilometers southeast of Pilón. Both earthquakes occurred at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers, which is relatively shallow and can often lead to more intense surface shaking.
**Editor:** Thankfully, there are no immediate reports of damage or injuries. How does the location and depth of these earthquakes influence the likelihood of damage?
**Dr. Gómez:** Shallow earthquakes like these can indeed cause more damage compared to deeper ones, especially in populated areas. However, the distance from Pilón and the fact that Cuba’s infrastructure has improved significantly over the years likely contributed to the lack of reported damage. It’s also the case that the local population has a certain level of preparedness for seismic activity, being in a tectonically active region.
**Editor:** You mentioned the geological context. Could you explain what might be causing these earthquakes in this region?
**Dr. Gómez:** Certainly. The area near Cuba is part of the complex tectonic boundary between the Caribbean and North American plates. The earthquakes are typically the result of strike-slip faulting, where the tectonic plates slide past each other. This specific mechanism can lead to the kind of shallow-focused seismic events we’ve seen. The stresses accumulate along these fault lines, and when they are released, it results in an earthquake.
**Editor:** Considering the recent activity, what should residents in seismically active areas like eastern Cuba do to prepare for future earthquakes?
**Dr. Gómez:** It’s essential for residents to be aware of earthquake safety protocols. This includes having a disaster plan in place, securing heavy furniture, and knowing safe spots within their homes. Regular earthquake drills can also help reinforce these practices. The key is to stay informed and prepared, as seismic activity can be unpredictable.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Gómez, for your insights today. Let’s hope the region remains safe and that they’re better prepared should these events occur again.
**Dr. Gómez:** Thank you for having me. It’s always important to keep the conversation going about earthquake preparedness.
