Written by on . Last updated December 3rd, 2024.

In the Caribbean Sea 58 kilometer from Manzanillo, Cuba, an unusually powerful M6.8 earthquake occurred around noon of Sunday November 10th, 2024. The USGS has indicated there is a potential risk at tsunami's following this earthquake. Jamaica is also near its epicenter.

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Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the Caribbean Sea, right off the coast of Cuba (4 mi offshore), 58 kilometer south of Manzanillo in Granma. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 14 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time: Nov 10, 2024 11:49 (Havana Time)
- Nov 10, 2024 16:49 Universal Time.
Location: 58 km south of Manzanillo, Granma, Cuba.
Coordinates 19°49'9"N 77°4'33"W.
Map: Map of area around epicenter.
Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude: MAG 6.8
Detected by 37 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.032 .
Depth: 14 km (9 mi)
A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:
VIII
Severe

On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk: Potential tsunami risk
The USGS has indicated there is a potential risk at tsunami's following this earthquake.
Always stay cautious - More info here.

Potential tsunami risk

DISCLAIMER: We strongly suggest to closely monitor advice from local authorities with regards to tsunami risks. Our analysis is based on automatically collected data from external sources, and these might contain mistakes. In addition, earthquakes can cause landslides that may lead to a tsunami, or be a followed by another, potentially stonger, earthquake.

There is a potential tsunami risk in the aftermath of this earthquake, immediately evacuate to higher grounds away from coastal areas and monitor advice from local authorities. The US Geographic Survey organization has indicated a potential risk for tsunami's following this earthquake.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Factor Under Sea? MAG-6.5 or stronger? Shallow depth?
Explanation Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami. Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami.
MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes.
MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's.
Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor.
This Earthquake This earthquake appears to have struck under the sea. This earthquake had a magnitude of 6.8. Earthquakes of this strength could trigger a tsunami. This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 14 km (9 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

Significant impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level YELLOW (significant). They expect an 35% likelyhood of between 1 and 10 fatalities, and a 90% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 100.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level YELLOW (significant). They expect an 48% likelyhood of between 10 and 100 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 95% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls between 1 and 1,000 million USD.

Roughly 8 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 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.

An estimated 31,630 people were exposed to level VII. At this level, very strong shaking and likely moderate damage can be expected. The majority of people (roughly 6.1 million) live in an area exposed to level IV, where light shaking and likely no damage is expected.

People in 5 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Cuba , around 5.4 million people, with impact levels up to VII (very strong shaking, likely moderate damage). In Jamaica , around 2.8 million people. A smaller number of people were exposed in the following countries: Haiti and Cayman Islands.

People MMI Level Shaking Damage
0
I
Not noticable None
0
II
Very weak None
272,200
III
Weak Probably none
6,081,000
IV
Light Likely none
1,465,000
V
Moderate Very light
598,600
VI
Strong Light
31,630
VII
Very Strong Moderate
0
VIII
Severe Moderate to heavy
0
IX
Violent Heavy
0
X
Extreme Very heavy

Nearby towns and cities

4 countries can be found within 300km of the epicenter of this earthquake: Cuba and Jamaica . Futher away, this earthquake may also have been felt in Haiti and Cayman Islands.

Bartolomé Masó in Granma, Cuba is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 41 kilometer (25 mi) south-southwest of Bartolomé Masó. The intensity of shaking and damage in Bartolomé Masó is estimated to be around level VI on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (strong shaking, probably light damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Kingston is located 205 km to the south and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Santiago de Cuba is located 132 km to the east and experienced an intensity of V (moderate shaking, very light damage). New Kingston is located 204 km to the south and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage).

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

Distance Place Intensity (MMI)
41 km (25 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Bartolomé Masó

Granma, Cuba.
VI
Strong
51 km (32 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Campechuela

Granma, Cuba.
VI
Strong
52 km (32 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Yara

Granma, Cuba.
VI
Strong
52 km (32 mi)
NW from epicenter
Media Luna

Granma, Cuba.
VI
Strong
58 km (36 mi)
N from epicenter
Manzanillo

Granma, Cuba.
V
Moderate
59 km (37 mi)
WNW from epicenter
Niquero

Granma, Cuba.
VI
Strong
74 km (46 mi)
NE from epicenter
Guisa

Granma, Cuba.
VI
Strong
76 km (47 mi)
NE from epicenter
Bayamo

Granma, Cuba.
VI
Strong
84 km (52 mi)
N from epicenter
Río Cauto

Granma, Cuba.
VI
Strong
91 km (57 mi)
NE from epicenter
Jiguaní

Granma, Cuba.
V
Moderate
102 km (63 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Contramaestre

Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
V
Moderate
103 km (64 mi)
NE from epicenter
Cauto Cristo

Granma, Cuba.
V
Moderate
121 km (75 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Palma Soriano

Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
V
Moderate
123 km (76 mi)
N from epicenter
Jobabo

Las Tunas, Cuba.
V
Moderate
123 km (76 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Amancio

Las Tunas, Cuba.
V
Moderate
128 km (80 mi)
N from epicenter
Las Tunas

Las Tunas, Cuba.
V
Moderate
129 km (80 mi)
NE from epicenter
Cacocum

Holguín, Cuba.
V
Moderate
131 km (81 mi)
NE from epicenter
San Germán

Holguín, Cuba.
V
Moderate
132 km (82 mi)
E from epicenter
Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
V
Moderate
134 km (83 mi)
ENE from epicenter
San Luis

Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
IV
Light
135 km (84 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Colombia

Las Tunas, Cuba.
V
Moderate
139 km (86 mi)
NW from epicenter
Santa Cruz del Sur

Camagüey, Cuba.
V
Moderate
140 km (87 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Guáimaro

Camagüey, Cuba.
V
Moderate
146 km (91 mi)
NE from epicenter
Holguín

Holguín, Cuba.
IV
Light
151 km (94 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Jobabo

Holguín, Cuba.
IV
Light
151 km (94 mi)
NE from epicenter
Cueto

Holguín, Cuba.
V
Moderate
161 km (100 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Puerto Padre

Las Tunas, Cuba.
IV
Light
162 km (101 mi)
NNE from epicenter
Jesús Menéndez

Las Tunas, Cuba.
V
Moderate
164 km (102 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Sibanicú

Camagüey, Cuba.
IV
Light
174 km (108 mi)
SSW from epicenter
Montego Bay

St. James, Jamaica.
IV
Light
174 km (108 mi)
NE from epicenter
Gibara

Holguín, Cuba.
IV
Light
176 km (109 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Jimaguayú

Camagüey, Cuba.
IV
Light
187 km (116 mi)
S from epicenter
Linstead

Saint Catherine, Jamaica.
IV
Light
190 km (118 mi)
NE from epicenter
Banes

Holguín, Cuba.
IV
Light
193 km (120 mi)
N from epicenter
Nuevitas

Camagüey, Cuba.
IV
Light
194 km (121 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Camagüey

Camagüey, Cuba.
IV
Light
194 km (121 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Minas

Camagüey, Cuba.
IV
Light
195 km (121 mi)
NW from epicenter
Vertientes

Camagüey, Cuba.
IV
Light
198 km (123 mi)
E from epicenter
Guantánamo

Guantánamo, Cuba.
IV
Light
203 km (126 mi)
SSW from epicenter
Mandeville

Manchester, Jamaica.
IV
Light
204 km (127 mi)
S from epicenter
Spanish Town

Saint Catherine, Jamaica.
IV
Light
204 km (127 mi)
S from epicenter
New Kingston

St. Andrew, Jamaica.
IV
Light
205 km (127 mi)
S from epicenter
Kingston

Kingston, Jamaica.
IV
Light
207 km (129 mi)
S from epicenter
May Pen

Clarendon, Jamaica.
IV
Light
209 km (130 mi)
S from epicenter
Old Harbour

Saint Catherine, Jamaica.
IV
Light
209 km (130 mi)
S from epicenter
Portmore

Saint Catherine, Jamaica.
IV
Light
210 km (130 mi)
SSW from epicenter
Savanna-la-Mar

Westmoreland, Jamaica.
IV
Light
224 km (139 mi)
NNW from epicenter
Florida

Camagüey, Cuba.
IV
Light
241 km (150 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Moa

Holguín, Cuba.
IV
Light
276 km (171 mi)
ENE from epicenter
Baracoa

Guantánamo, Cuba.
IV
Light
285 km (177 mi)
NW from epicenter
Ciego de Ávila

Ciego de Ávila, Cuba.
IV
Light
337 km (209 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Jérémie

GrandʼAnse, Haiti.
340 km (211 mi)
NW from epicenter
Sancti Spíritus

Sancti Spíritus, Cuba.
394 km (245 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Les Cayes

Sud, Haiti.
415 km (258 mi)
NW from epicenter
Santa Clara

Villa Clara, Cuba.
435 km (270 mi)
NW from epicenter
Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos, Cuba.
444 km (276 mi)
E from epicenter
Port-de-Paix

Nord-Ouest, Haiti.
446 km (277 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Miragoâne

Nippes, Haiti.
454 km (282 mi)
W from epicenter
George Town

George Town, Cayman Islands.
461 km (286 mi)
E from epicenter
Gonaïves

Artibonite, Haiti.
489 km (304 mi)
ESE from epicenter
Léogâne

Ouest, Haiti.
489 km (304 mi)
E from epicenter
Lenbe

Nord, Haiti.
499 km (310 mi)
NW from epicenter
Calimete

Matanzas, Cuba.
Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.

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 VII.

I Not felt
II Weak
III Weak
IV Light
V Moderate
VI Strong
VII Very Strong
VIII Severe
IX Violent
X Extreme
Earthquake Intensity Map based on Shakemap Data provided by USGS.

Shaking reported by 111 people in 8 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 111 people have reported shaking in 46 places in 8 countries (Dominican Republic, Cayman Islands, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, 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:

  • Montego Bay, Saint James, Jamaica: 16 people.
  • Ocho Rios, Saint Ann, Jamaica: 7 people.
  • Half Way Tree, Saint Andrew, Jamaica: 7 people.
  • Constant Spring, Saint Andrew, Jamaica: 7 people.
  • Mona, Kingston, Jamaica: 6 people.
  • Guantánamo, Guantánamo, Cuba: 5 people.
  • Portmore, Saint Catherine, Jamaica: 4 people.
  • Above Rocks, Saint Catherine, Jamaica: 3 people.
  • Claremont, Saint Ann, Jamaica: 3 people.
  • Runaway Bay, Saint Ann, Jamaica: 3 people.

3 Aftershocks detected

This main shock was followed by 3 smaller aftershocks. A 4.6 magnitude earthquake hit 2 hrs later 8 km (5 mi) south-southwest of this earthquake.

This main shock was prefaced by 1 smaller foreshock. A 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit 60 mins earlier nearby.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

Classification Magnitude When Where
Foreshock M 5.8 60 mins earlier
Nov 10, 2024 10:50 (Havana Time)
12 km (7 mi)
ENE from Main Shock.
Main Shock
This Earthquake
M 6.8 Nov 10, 2024 11:49
(Havana Time)
-
Aftershock M 4.3 2 hrs later
Nov 10, 2024 13:36 (Havana Time)
9 km (5 mi)
SSW from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 4.6 2 hrs later
Nov 10, 2024 13:45 (Havana Time)
8 km (5 mi)
SSW from Main Shock.
Aftershock M 4.0 5 hrs later
Nov 10, 2024 16:27 (Havana Time)
14 km (8 mi)
SW from Main Shock.
Detected MAG2.5+ earthquakes within within 100km (62 mi), that occurred in the three days before and after the main shock.

More earthquakes coming?

Aftershocks are usually at least 1 order of magnitude less strong than main shocks. The more time passes, the smaller the chance and likely strength of any potential aftershocks.

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

Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).

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 182 km (113 mi) further west-southwest. That was also the heaviest earthquake to hit the region in the past 10 years.

In total, 1 earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 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 10 years.

Sources

Last updated 03/12/24 00:38 (). This article is automatically generated based on available data. We keep checking multiple sources for additional information. This article gets updated as new details on this earthquake become available.

  1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us7000nr0v
  2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20241110_0000159
  3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
  4. Google Maps: Static API
  5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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