A powerful 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off Cuba’s northwestern coast in the Caribbean Sea on Monday, with seismologists describing it as the strongest tremor recorded in the region in nearly 150 years.
The earthquake was felt far beyond Cuba, with residents across the Gulf of Mexico, several Caribbean nations, and parts of the southeastern United States reporting noticeable shaking.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake originated at a depth of about 26 kilometers. Its epicenter was located approximately 104 kilometers west-northwest of Mantua in western Cuba. Experts described the event as unusual because it occurred within a tectonic plate rather than along a plate boundary, where major earthquakes are more commonly generated.
USGS records indicate that the last comparable earthquake in the area occurred near San Cristóbal in 1880, with an estimated magnitude of around 6.0. Since then, no quake of similar intensity has been documented within a 320-kilometer radius.
Strong tremors caused high-rise buildings to sway in Havana and Pinar del Río, prompting residents to rush outdoors. Despite widespread alarm, Cuban authorities reported no immediate casualties or major structural damage.
The shaking was also felt in parts of Florida, including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and areas north of Orlando. Several government offices in Miami-Dade County were temporarily evacuated as a precaution, while two elevated passenger rail services were briefly suspended for inspections. No damage was reported.
In Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, the tremor was felt in tourist destinations such as Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, where visitors and residents evacuated hotels and buildings. Authorities in Quintana Roo and Yucatán states later confirmed that no significant incidents had occurred.
Scientists described the quake as one of the most notable seismic events ever instrumentally recorded in the Gulf of Mexico region. Since modern monitoring began in the mid-20th century, earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or higher have been extremely rare in this generally stable area.
No tsunami warning was issued following the earthquake. Experts said minor aftershocks may occur in western Cuba, but they are expected to be much weaker and unlikely to affect Florida or distant parts of Mexico.
Source: India Today.