A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Cuba on Sunday, primarily affecting Santiago de Cuba and neighboring areas. Residents reported intense shaking and minor damage. The quake hit near Bartolome Maso in Granma province, with a depth of 14 km. No tsunami threat followed the seismic events. The earthquake is part of a series of recent natural disasters impacting the region, complicating recovery efforts.
On Sunday, eastern Cuba experienced a significant earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. The earthquake’s epicenter was located near the municipality of Bartolome Maso in Granma province, which is historically notable as it housed former Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s headquarters during the Cuban Revolution. Residents in Santiago de Cuba, the island’s second-largest city, described the tremors as some of the most intense they have ever felt, with violent shaking causing dishes to rattle off shelves and some minor structural damage reported in nearby areas such as Pilon.
Cuba is situated in a seismically active region, particularly around Santiago, where the boundary between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates lies. This earthquake followed a series of natural disasters impacting the nation, including Hurricane Oscar in October and Hurricane Rafael, which caused widespread power outages after damaging the national grid. The region has older infrastructure, enhancing its vulnerability to such seismic events, especially during existing recovery efforts from recent hurricanes.
The recent earthquake in eastern Cuba highlights the region’s susceptibility to seismic activity due to its geographical setting. Combined with the recent challenges posed by hurricanes and infrastructural vulnerabilities, the circumstances create a precarious environment for the local population. Residents are left grappling with both the immediate impacts of the earthquake and the longer-term repercussions of the recent natural disasters. The absence of a tsunami threat provides some relief, allowing focus to remain on recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Original Source: www.theglobeandmail.com
