A 6.8 magnitude earthquake which struck southeastern Cuba at 11:49am on Sunday has been followed by aftershocks.
Based on the latest USGS data, at least three other quakes were registered in the area of the 6.8 earthquake during the day, ranging from magnitude 4.0 to 4.6.
An advisory from Hazard Management Cayman Islands, on Sunday afternoon, said the series of earthquakes that struck south-southwest of Cuba has raised concerns for potential aftershocks over the next 24-48 hours.
“Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI) and 911 are closely monitoring the situation, and residents are advised to stay informed of official updates and notice,” it said.
Following the Sunday morning notifications, it assured that, “there is currently no threat to the Cayman Islands”.
Hazard Management, acknowledging the recent seismic activity within the region, is advising residents to be aware and remain prepared should our islands be impacted.
“Tsunamis are a possible outcome following seismic activity, so it is important that residents are reminded of safety procedures,” it added.
Preliminary damage assessments are now underway from the major earthquake.
According to the US Geological Survey, the strong shake was centred 24 miles south of the town of Bartolome Maso, in southeastern Cuba, at a depth of eight miles Sunday morning.
Shortly after the 6.8 magnitude earthquake occurred, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an alert stating that, while there was no significant threat of a tsunami, “there is a very small possibility of tsunami waves along coasts nearest to the epicenter”.
It is likely that, with the coast of Jamaica less than 100 miles away from the epicentre, any tsunami wave that might have been generated would already have arrived before the post was issued by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, Jamaica’s national disaster organisation.
About 45 minutes after the 6.8 magnitude quake, it posted on social media that, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, “there is no tsunami threat”.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, based in Hawaii, is responsible for issuing tsunami alerts for many regions, including most of the Islands in Caribbean Sea. It is the official source for tsunami alerts for Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.
The Sister Islands are located approximately 188 miles from the earthquake epicentre, but no local alert was issued in the Cayman Islands.
According to comments on the platform X, formerly Twitter, the tremors were felt in the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Haiti and the United States.
News agency Reuters reported that it had spoken to several residents in the area, who reported the quake felt as strong as any in their lifetimes, with homes and buildings shaking violently.
Reuters said some damage was reported in Pilon, near the quake’s epicentre.
About an hour before the 6.8 magnitude quake hit, at 10:50am, according to the USGS, 21.7 miles off Bartolome Maso, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake was also recorded. Another with a magnitude of 4.6, at a depth of 9.5 miles, was recorded at 1:45pm.
Cuba was recently hit by Category Hurricane 3 Rafael, along with direct hits from other hurricanes earlier in the year. It has also had significant issues with power generation.
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