On November 10, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit eastern Cuba, affecting Santiago de Cuba and surrounding areas, with no casualties reported. The tremor followed recent hurricanes that had devastated the region, complicating recovery efforts. While some damage occurred, the capital, Havana, was unaffected, and no tsunami threat was issued.
A significant earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck eastern Cuba on November 10, causing notable tremors in Santiago de Cuba and its neighboring rural regions. The earthquake’s epicenter was identified near Granma province, particularly close to Bartolome Maso municipality. Fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties despite the tremor being described by residents as one of the strongest they have ever encountered. Some structural damage was noted in Pilon, nearby the epicenter, as many buildings in the region are older and vulnerable to such natural disasters. The earthquake occurred at a depth of approximately 14 kilometers (8.7 miles), according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The Cuban capital, Havana, remained unaffected by this seismic event. Moreover, the US National Tsunami Warning Center has confirmed that there was no tsunami threat resulting from the earthquake. This event follows a challenging period for the eastern regions of Cuba, which are still recovering from the devastating impact of Hurricane Oscar in October, along with additional damage caused by Hurricane Rafael earlier last week. The latter resulted in a widespread collapse of the national electric grid, leaving approximately 10 million residents without power, and recovery efforts are currently in progress.
Cuba experiences significant seismic activity, especially around the Santiago region. The country is also prone to natural disasters, including hurricanes that can compound the destruction caused by earthquakes. Recent hurricanes have already left parts of Cuba in disarray, which highlights the vulnerability of the region’s infrastructure. The interaction between these natural events showcases the need for efficient disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience in the face of multiple challenges.
In conclusion, the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Cuba has caused considerable disturbance, particularly in Santiago de Cuba, where older buildings are susceptible to damage. Fortunately, there have been no reported casualties, reflecting on the preparedness of residents and emergency services. Nonetheless, the existing challenges from recent hurricanes, particularly with the ongoing recovery of the power grid, add to the complexity of maintaining safety and infrastructure resilience in the region.
Original Source: jang.com.pk
