theglobeandmail.com
Cuba Earthquakes
Powerful earthquakes hit eastern Cuba, causing damage and adding to the challenges posed by recent hurricanes.
English
Canada
Latin AmericaNatural DisasterEarthquakeRecoveryHurricaneDamage
U.s. Geological SurveyU.s. National Tsunami Warning CenterReutersAfpGetty Images
Fidel Castro
- What challenges complicate recovery efforts in the affected region?
- The earthquakes struck a region of Cuba already reeling from recent hurricanes and rolling blackouts. The damage caused by the quakes is still being assessed and recovery efforts are complicated by pre-existing infrastructure problems.
- What were the magnitudes of the earthquakes that struck eastern Cuba?
- Two powerful earthquakes struck eastern Cuba on Sunday, November 10th, with magnitudes of 6.8 and 5.9. The quakes caused buildings to shake violently, dishes to fall, and some reported damage in Pilon, near the epicenter.
- Was there a tsunami threat, and what other recent disasters have affected Cuba?
- The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center reported there was no tsunami threat from the earthquakes. However, the quakes follow recent hurricanes that have devastated parts of Cuba, compounding the island's challenges.
- Where were the earthquakes centered, and what is the significance of that location?
- The 6.8 magnitude earthquake's epicenter was near Bartolome Maso in Granma province, the location of Fidel Castro's headquarters during the Cuban Revolution. The quakes occurred along a fault line where the North American and Caribbean plates meet.
- How did residents describe the intensity of the earthquakes, and what damage was reported?
- Residents reported feeling the quakes strongly, with some saying it was the most powerful they had ever experienced. Homes and buildings, many of which are older and vulnerable, were affected.