A 5.6 magnitude earthquake jolted the southeastern region of Cuba near Imías early Sunday morning, prompting a state of alert in the eastern provinces.
The tremor was felt in Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, and Granma, and scientific authorities confirmed that about 30 aftershocks followed the main quake in the subsequent two hours.
During the first hour, 21 aftershocks were recorded, followed by 12 more in the second hour. Fortunately, none were perceived by the populace.
Nonetheless, the initial quake was indeed felt in numerous areas of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, and Granma, with reports even reaching Holguín.
The National Center for Seismological Research (CENAIS) noted that top officials from the Party and the Government of Santiago de Cuba visited the Central Seismological Station to gather details about the quake and the ongoing seismic sequence.
Experts clarified that the earthquake did not create conditions conducive to a tsunami, ruling out any such alerts.
Furthermore, CENAIS leaders provided updates on the recent GEOMARHIS campaign, conducted aboard the scientific vessel RRS James Cook, which yielded critical insights into understanding the seismic and tsunami threats in this Caribbean region.
Official advisories urged the public to stay informed through institutional channels and adhere to Civil Protection guidelines.
Enrique Diego Arango Arias, head of the National Seismological Service, explained that the network of stations recorded the earthquake at 7:00 a.m. local time, pinpointing coordinates at 20.16° north latitude and 74.44° west longitude, at a depth of 7.1 km, 24 km southeast of Imías.
CENAIS placed the seismic event 30 km southeast of Imías, a typical variation depending on calculation methods.
As of the writing of this report, no material or human damages have been reported. Scientific authorities advised maintaining calm, reviewing potentially vulnerable structures, and staying alert for official updates.
On social media, dozens of Cubans shared their experiences of the event.
"Strong, very strong, it shook my house," a user from Palma Soriano posted.
From Moa, Holguín, another commented, "It felt very strong."
In Santiago, residents of Garzón and Versalles echoed the sentiment, noting that the quake surprised them in the early hours: "It got me out of bed," one wrote.
Eastern Cuba is one of the country's most seismically active areas due to its proximity to the Oriente Fault, the boundary line between the Caribbean and North American Plates.
Hence, scientists emphasize the importance of constant monitoring and campaigns like GEOMARHIS to enhance understanding of the risks.
This Sunday's earthquake and its 30-plus aftershocks serve as a reminder that the threat is very real, even though no damage was incurred this time.
Understanding the Seismic Threat in Eastern Cuba
Why is Eastern Cuba prone to earthquakes?
Eastern Cuba is seismically active because it is close to the Oriente Fault, which marks the boundary between the Caribbean and North American tectonic plates.
What did the GEOMARHIS campaign achieve?
The GEOMARHIS campaign, conducted aboard the RRS James Cook, provided valuable information to better comprehend the seismic and tsunami risks in the Caribbean region.
How did CENAIS respond to the earthquake?
CENAIS monitored the situation, confirmed that no tsunami conditions were present, and coordinated with local authorities to assess the quake and its aftershocks.