A 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit eastern Cuba on November 10, causing buildings to shake in Santiago de Cuba and nearby areas. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported. The quake follows devastating hurricanes that have impacted the region, leaving millions without power.
On Sunday, November 10, a significant earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck eastern Cuba, primarily affecting the municipality of Bartolome Maso in Granma province. Reports from Reuters indicate that the tremor resulted in noticeable shaking of buildings in Santiago de Cuba and surrounding rural regions. Despite the severity of the quake, there have been no confirmed casualties to date. Residents have described the seismic event as one of the strongest they have ever experienced, particularly around the quake’s epicenter in Pilon, where some structural damage was reported. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) noted that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 14 kilometers (approximately 8.7 miles). Fortunately, the capital city of Havana remained unaffected by the tremor, and the US National Tsunami Warning Center has stated that there was no tsunami threat following the earthquake. The timing of this disaster is particularly concerning, as the eastern region has already faced significant devastation from Hurricane Oscar in October and recently from Hurricane Rafael, which considerably impacted the national power grid, leaving approximately 10 million residents without electricity.
Cuba is situated in a seismically active region, particularly around the city of Santiago, where many earthquakes have been recorded. On November 10, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck following a period of severe weather due to hurricanes. Those hurricanes had already compromised infrastructure, with Hurricane Oscar last month and Hurricane Rafael causing power outages and damage to buildings. The vulnerability of older structures in the affected regions increases the potential impact of seismic events, underscoring the region’s susceptibility to both natural disasters.
In summary, the recent 6.8 magnitude earthquake in eastern Cuba has exacerbated an already challenging situation following two recent hurricanes, namely Oscar and Rafael. Although no casualties have been reported, the tremor has caused significant tremors and some structural damage, putting a spotlight on the challenges Cuba faces regarding infrastructure resilience amidst natural disasters. As recovery efforts from the hurricanes continue, the earthquake presents additional hurdles for the local population.
Original Source: jang.com.pk
