On Monday Night a Shallow M5.9 Earthquake struck in the Caribbean Sea near Santiago de Cuba (Cuba).

Written by Earthquakelist.org on December 23rd, 2024. Last updated December 25th, 2024.

In the night of Monday December 23rd, 2024, a shallow and significant Magnitude 5.9 earthquake hit in the Caribbean Sea 73 kilometer from Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. Around 5.6 million people have been exposed to shaking. Jamaica and Haiti are 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 (2 mi offshore), 73 kilometer west of Santiago de Cuba. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 22 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Dec 23, 2024 01:00 (Havana Time) - Dec 23, 2024 06:00 Universal Time.
Location:	73 km west of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. Coordinates 19°54'58"N 76°30'55"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.9 Detected by 107 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.03 .
Depth:	22 km (14 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 91% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact.

Roughly 5.6 million people exposed to shaking

This earthquake may have been felt by around 5.6 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 10 people were exposed to level VII. At this level, very strong shaking and likely moderate damage can be expected. Intensity level IV was experienced by the majority of people (around 3.4 million). In their region, light shaking and likely no damage can be expected.

People in 3 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Cuba , around 4.4 million people, with impact levels up to VII (very strong shaking, likely moderate damage). In Jamaica , around 1.1 million people.

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Cuba , Jamaica and Haiti are all within 300km distance of its epicenter.

Guisa in Granma, Cuba is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 38 kilometer (24 mi) south of Guisa. The intensity of shaking and damage in Guisa is estimated to be around level VI on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (strong shaking, probably light damage).

Multiple major population centers exist within 300km of the earthquake that struck today. Santiago de Cuba is located 73 km to the east and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Kingston is located 215 km to the south (intensity unknown, possibly low). Bayamo is located 53 km to the north-northwest and experienced an intensity of V (moderate shaking, very light 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

Earthquake Intensity Map

The intensity in shaking and damage by this earthquake is illustrated through the map below. The highest intensity measured 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

Shaking reported by 65 people in 3 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 65 people have reported shaking in 32 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:

• Montego Bay, Saint James, Jamaica: 8 people.
• Guantánamo, Guantánamo, Cuba: 5 people.
• Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba: 4 people.
• Mona, Kingston, Jamaica: 4 people.
• Runaway Bay, Saint Ann, Jamaica: 3 people.
• Guisa, Granma, Cuba: 3 people.
• Portmore, Saint Catherine, Jamaica: 3 people.
• Santiago de Cuba, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba: 2 people.
• Contramaestre, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba: 2 people.
• Banes, Holguín, Cuba: 2 people.

Risk of aftershocks?

We monitor for foreshocks or aftershocks that have a magnitude of 2.5+ and occur within 100km (62 mi) of the epicenter of this earthquake. So far no such earthquakes have been detected.

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

This is an unusually powerful earthquake

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 November 10th, 2024, when a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit 60 km (37 mi) further west. An even stronger magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck on January 28th, 2020.

In total, 2 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.9 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 25/12/24 18:28 (). 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 us7000p0uj
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20241223_0000060
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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