On June 8 (local time), according to Reuters, a strong 6.1 magnitude earthquake occurred off the northwest coast of Cuba, causing shaking in many areas of Cuba, Florida (USA) and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said that the epicenter was about 104km northwest of the Cuban town of Mantua, at a depth of about 26km. This area is about 2-4 hours by car from Havana.
According to seismologist Paul Earle of the USGS, this is a rare earthquake for the Caribbean region. Unlike many large earthquakes that often occur at the boundary between tectonic plates, this earthquake appeared inside an tectonic plate - where seismic activity is usually sparse and rarer.
Mr. Earle said that no earthquakes of equivalent magnitude have been recorded within a radius of about 322km around the epicenter since 1880. At that time, a magnitude 6 earthquake occurred near San Cristobal, Cuba.
To date, Cuban authorities have not recorded major damage or casualties related to the earthquake. However, the shaking has frightened many people, especially in the context that many buildings in Cuba have deteriorated after years of economic difficulties.
I have never felt anything like that. Everyone ran outside in fear," said Yusmila Hernandez (44 years old, living in Pinar del Rio province in western Cuba).
She described this as the strongest earthquake she had ever experienced in the area.
USGS also recorded shaking felt in Florida, USA.
In Mexico, earthquakes were felt at popular tourist destinations such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum on the Yucatan peninsula. Many residents and office workers in the center of Cancun city evacuated from buildings after feeling the tremors.
Authorities in Yucatan and Quintana Roo states have activated emergency response procedures, but no damage reports have been recorded.
