The National Seismological Service (SSN) reported that Cuba recorded the highest number of earthquakes in its territory (12,806) in 2024.

Santiago de Cuba.- According to data published by SSN Director Enrique Diego Arango, this activity is due to the occurrence of two earthquakes: one on November 10 of 6.0 magnitude and another of 6.7 about 40 kilometers southeast of the town of Pilón, Granma province, and a 6.1-magnitude seism south of Guamá municipality, in Santiago de Cuba province, on December 23.

The expert explained that both earth tremors occurred in a sector of the Oriente transform fault characterized by a predominant sliding movement along the left lateral course.

Since the seismic activity began on November 10, 8,873 aftershocks of both earthquakes have been recorded until the end of the year.

Arango noted that following the 6.1-magnitude earthquake on December 23, 446 aftershocks have been recorded. Given the strength of this earthquake, it is normal for aftershocks to continue occurring; however, their frequency and intensity are expected to decrease over time.

In 2024, 20 perceptible earthquakes were officially reported in information bulletins, 10 in the Santiago-Baconao area, five in different locations in the interior of the country (Moa, Baracoa, Sibanicú, and Varadero,) and five in the Pilón-Chivirico area, where the three strong earthquakes are included.

On the other hand, Arango explained that 143 probably perceptible earthquakes were recorded up to December 31. Their intensity is given according to the criteria established by the European Macroseismic Scale (EMS/1998). (PL)