Very strong M6.8 earthquake hits Cuba, tsunami waves possible near epicenter
A very strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.8 hit near the southeast coast of Cuba at 16:50 UTC (11:50 local time) on November 10, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 23.5 km (14.6 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.8 at a depth of 17 km (10.5 miles). The quake was preceded by M5.9 at 15:50 UTC.
Image credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 40 km (26 miles) S of Bartolomé Masó (population 53 024) and 52 km (32 miles) S of Yara (population 28 944), Granma Province, Cuba.
Based on all available data, there is no significant tsunami threat from this earthquake. However, there is a very small possibility of tsunami waves along coasts located nearest the epicenter, NWS PTWC said.
32 000 people are estimated to have felt very strong shaking, 599 000 strong, 1 437 000 moderate, and 6 011 000 light.
The USGS issued a Yellow alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. Some casualties and damage are possible and the impact should be relatively localized. Past yellow alerts have required a local or regional-level response.
Estimated economic losses are expected to be less than 1% of GDP of Cuba.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel reported landslides and damage to homes and power lines, while state-run Cubadebate showed buildings with cracks on the walls and piles of debris on the ground.
The head of the National Seismological Service of Cuba said the municipality of Pilón has suffered a lot of damage.
The quake was felt on nearby islands and as far as Miami, where residents reported swaying ceiling lights.
Read more:
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.8 earthquake Cuba – USGS – November 10, 2024
2 M6.8 earthquake Cuba – EMSC – November 10, 2024
3 M6.8 earthquake Cuba – Tsunami Message – PTWC – November 10, 2024
Teo Blašković founded The Watchers in 2011 and edited it until 2026, covering seismic and volcanic activity, extreme weather, space weather and near-Earth objects. Articles on this page are his archive.
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