Phenomenon reached Santiago de Cuba with no reports of damage; region already facing hurricane recovery
An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale hit eastern Cuba, near the province of Granma, this Sunday (10.Nov.2024). The earthquake caused tremors in Santiago de Cuba, the island’s second largest city, and in nearby rural areas.
According to the USGS (United States Geological Survey), the earthquake occurred at a depth of 14 km. So far, there have been no reports of victims, injuries or major damage.
The president of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, asked residents of Santiago de Cuba and Granma to evacuate the areas. He said the government has already started assessing the damage caused by the earthquake.
Despite the intensity of the tremor, the US National Tsunami Warning Center indicated that there is no expectation of a tsunami threat. About an hour earlier, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake was recorded in the same region.
The Santiago de Cuba region is known for its seismic activity, as it is located close to a geological fault. The formation marks the limit between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates.
The earthquakes occur in a delicate context for Cuba, which is still recovering from the impacts of , which hit the island last Wednesday (6.Nov.2024).
The phenomenon affected Majana beach, in the province of Artemisa. It passed for around 2 and a half hours over Cuban territory and caused widespread power outages and damage to villages. Days after its passage, many areas still face difficulties without electricity.
