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. 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
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. |
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.
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. |
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.