Shallow M5.8 FORESHOCK hit in the Caribbean Sea near Bayamo (Cuba) on Sunday Morning.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on November 10th, 2024. Last updated December 3rd, 2024.

In the Caribbean Sea 68 kilometer from Bayamo, Cuba, a shallow and significant Magnitude 5.8 foreshock occurred in the morning of Sunday November 10th, 2024. Around 5.8 million people have been exposed to shaking. Another country near the epicenter is Jamaica.

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Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the Caribbean Sea, right off the coast of Cuba (3 mi offshore), 68 kilometer south-southwest of Bayamo in Granma. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 19 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Nov 10, 2024 10:50 (Havana Time) - Nov 10, 2024 15:50 Universal Time.
Location:	68 km SSW of Bayamo, Granma, Cuba. Coordinates 19°50'50"N 76°57'59"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.8 Detected by 20 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.069 .
Depth:	19 km (12 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VII Very Strong On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Low tsunami risk Earthquakes under MAG-6.5 do not usually cause tsunami's. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 99% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.

Roughly 5.8 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 5.8 million people. That is the expected population size of the area exposed to a level of shaking of II or higher on the Modified Mercalli scale according to the USGS.

Strong shaking and probably light damage may have been experienced by an estimated 3,100 people. At VI, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. The majority of people (roughly 3.1 million) live in an area exposed to level IV, where light shaking and likely no damage is expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Cuba , around 4.3 million people, with impact levels up to VI (strong shaking, probably light damage). Roughly 1.5 million people were exposed to shaking in Jamaica .

Nearby towns and cities

Cuba and Jamaica are both located within 300km distance of the epicenter of the earthquake. Futher away, this earthquake may also have been felt in Haiti.

Bartolomé Masó in Granma, Cuba is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 36 kilometer (22 mi) south of Bartolomé Masó. The intensity of shaking and damage in Bartolomé Masó is estimated to be around level V on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (moderate shaking, very light damage).

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Santiago de Cuba is located 121 km to the east and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Kingston is located 207 km to the south (intensity unknown, possibly low). New Kingston is located 205 km to the south (intensity unknown, possibly low).

A complete list of nearby places is included below. Estimated intensity data (MMI) sourced from a shake-map published by the US Geographic Survey is shown where available (cities without data probably experienced little impact).

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The graph below overlays a map of the region around the epicenter with earthquake intensity data provided by the US Geographic Survey. The highest intensity level detected for this earthquake is VI.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 23 people in 3 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 23 people have reported shaking in 11 places in 3 countries (Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Cuba).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Constant Spring, Saint Andrew, Jamaica: 4 people.
• Half Way Tree, Saint Andrew, Jamaica: 4 people.
• Ocho Rios, Saint Ann, Jamaica: 3 people.
• Montego Bay, Saint James, Jamaica: 3 people.
• Guantánamo, Guantánamo, Cuba: 3 people.
• Bodden Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands: 1 person.
• Mona, Kingston, Jamaica: 1 person.
• Gordon Town, Saint Andrew, Jamaica: 1 person.
• Above Rocks, Saint Catherine, Jamaica: 1 person.
• Camagüey, Camagüey, Cuba: 1 person.

This is likely a foreshock

This earthquake was followed by a stronger MAG-6.8 earthquake, classifying this earthquake as a foreshock.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

The risk of aftershocks decreases rapidly over time. Usually, aftershocks are at least one order of magnitude lower than a main shock.

The chance that a significant earthquake like this one is followed by an even larger earthquake is not so large. On average, scientists estimate a 94% chance that a major earthquake will not be followed by an even larger one. It is still adviced to be aware of this risk

This is the strongest earthquake in 5 years

Earthquakes of this strength are not so common in the region, but it's not the first time. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since January 28th, 2020, when a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit 193 km (120 mi) further west-southwest. That was also the heaviest earthquake to hit the region in the past 10 years.

In total, 2 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.8 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 5 years.

Low tsunami risk

Based on early data it appears this earthquake was not strong enough (lower than MAG-6.5) to be likely to cause destructive tsunami's. However this earthquake appeared to have hit at a shallow depth under sea, so stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 03/12/24 00:48 (). This article contains currently available information about the earthquake and is automatically composed. We continue to update this article up to a few days after the earthquake occurred.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000nr0n
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20241110_0000143
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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