Shallow M5.5 Earthquake struck on Sunday Morning in the Caribbean Sea near Guantánamo (Cuba).

Written by Earthquakelist.org on February 8th, 2026.

A shallow and significant MAG-5.5 earthquake struck in the Caribbean Sea 92 kilometer from Guantánamo, Cuba in the morning of Sunday February 8th, 2026. Around 8 million people have been exposed to shaking. Other nearby countries are Haiti and Dominican Republic.

Earthquake Summary

This earthquake hit under water in the Caribbean Sea, 21 kilometers (13 mi) off the coast of Cuba, 92 kilometer east-southeast of Guantánamo. The center of this earthquake had a very shallow depth of 10 km. Shallow earthquakes usually have a larger impact than earthquakes deep in the earth.

Date and Time:	Feb 8, 2026 07:00 (Havana Time) - Feb 8, 2026 12:00 Universal Time.
Location:	92 km ESE of Guantánamo, Cuba. Coordinates 19°53'24"N 74°22'16"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.5 Detected by 50 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.044 .
Depth:	10 km (6 mi) A very shallow depth.
Max. Intensity:	VI 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 68% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 98% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 8 million people exposed to shaking

The USGS has published a report estimating the number of people exposed to this earthquake. Acoording to their analysis, roughly 8 million have been exposed to shaking at an MMI level of II or higher.

Moderate shaking and very light damage may have been experienced by an estimated 8,530 people. At V, it is the highest MMI level this earthquake has caused. Intensity level III was experienced by the majority of people (around 6.6 million). In their region, weak shaking and probably no damage can be expected.

People in 5 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Cuba , around 2 million people, with impact levels up to V (moderate shaking, very light damage). In Haiti , around 5.8 million people. Other countries where people were exposed to shaking include The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands.

People	MMI Level	Shaking	Damage
0	I	Not noticable	None
767,100	II	Very weak	None
6,598,000	III	Weak	Probably none
470,900	IV	Light	Likely none
8,530	V	Moderate	Very light
0	VI	Strong	Light
0	VII	Very Strong	Moderate
0	VIII	Severe	Moderate to heavy
0	IX	Violent	Heavy
0	X	Extreme	Very heavy

Nearby towns and cities

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

Maisí in Guantánamo, Cuba is the nearest significant place from the epicenter. The earthquake occurred 46 kilometer (29 mi) south-southwest of Maisí. Maisí experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly IV. That level implies light shaking and likely no damage.

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Port-au-Prince is located 261 km to the south-east (intensity unknown, possibly low). Santiago de Cuba is located 153 km to the west and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Guantánamo is located 92 km to the west-northwest 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

Cities and Towns around the epicenter of this earthquake.
Distance	Place	Intensity (MMI)
46 km (29 mi) NNE from epicenter	Maisí Guantánamo, Cuba.	IV Light
52 km (32 mi) NNW from epicenter	Baracoa Guantánamo, Cuba.	IV Light
86 km (53 mi) NW from epicenter	Río Guayabal de Yateras Guantánamo, Cuba.	IV Light
92 km (57 mi) WNW from epicenter	Guantánamo Guantánamo, Cuba.	IV Light
105 km (65 mi) NW from epicenter	Moa Holguín, Cuba.	III Weak
119 km (74 mi) NW from epicenter	Sagua de Tánamo Holguín, Cuba.	III Weak
140 km (87 mi) S from epicenter	Jérémie GrandʼAnse, Haiti.	III Weak
153 km (95 mi) W from epicenter	Santiago de Cuba Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.	III Weak
158 km (98 mi) WNW from epicenter	San Luis Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.	III Weak
161 km (100 mi) E from epicenter	Port-de-Paix Nord-Ouest, Haiti.	III Weak
161 km (100 mi) E from epicenter	Ti Port-de-Paix Nord-Ouest, Haiti.	III Weak
173 km (107 mi) W from epicenter	Palma Soriano Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.	III Weak
183 km (114 mi) WNW from epicenter	Cueto Holguín, Cuba.	III Weak
183 km (114 mi) ESE from epicenter	Gonaïves Artibonite, Haiti.	III Weak
184 km (114 mi) NW from epicenter	Banes Holguín, Cuba.	III Weak
196 km (122 mi) ESE from epicenter	Saint-Marc Artibonite, Haiti.	III Weak
200 km (124 mi) WNW from epicenter	San Germán Holguín, Cuba.	III Weak
200 km (124 mi) SSE from epicenter	Les Cayes Sud, Haiti.	III Weak
201 km (125 mi) WNW from epicenter	Contramaestre Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.	III Weak
207 km (129 mi) E from epicenter	Lenbe Nord, Haiti.
210 km (130 mi) SE from epicenter	Miragoâne Nippes, Haiti.	III Weak
220 km (137 mi) ESE from epicenter	Verrettes Artibonite, Haiti.	III Weak
221 km (137 mi) WNW from epicenter	Jiguaní Granma, Cuba.
225 km (140 mi) WNW from epicenter	Cacocum Holguín, Cuba.
226 km (140 mi) WNW from epicenter	Holguín Holguín, Cuba.
227 km (141 mi) SE from epicenter	Tigwav Ouest, Haiti.	III Weak
228 km (142 mi) NW from epicenter	Gibara Holguín, Cuba.	III Weak
228 km (142 mi) E from epicenter	Okap Nord, Haiti.
230 km (143 mi) W from epicenter	Guisa Granma, Cuba.
231 km (144 mi) WNW from epicenter	Cauto Cristo Granma, Cuba.
233 km (145 mi) ESE from epicenter	Saint-Raphaël Nord, Haiti.
234 km (145 mi) WNW from epicenter	Jobabo Holguín, Cuba.
234 km (145 mi) SE from epicenter	Grangwav Ouest, Haiti.	III Weak
238 km (148 mi) SE from epicenter	Léogâne Ouest, Haiti.	III Weak
243 km (151 mi) WNW from epicenter	Bayamo Granma, Cuba.
245 km (152 mi) SE from epicenter	Gressier Ouest, Haiti.	III Weak
256 km (159 mi) SE from epicenter	Carrefour Ouest, Haiti.
260 km (162 mi) ESE from epicenter	Hinche Centre, Haiti.
261 km (162 mi) SE from epicenter	Port-au-Prince Ouest, Haiti.
261 km (162 mi) WNW from epicenter	Jesús Menéndez Las Tunas, Cuba.
264 km (164 mi) SE from epicenter	Delmas 73 Ouest, Haiti.
267 km (166 mi) SE from epicenter	Pétionville Ouest, Haiti.
267 km (166 mi) SE from epicenter	Jacmel Sud-Est, Haiti.	III Weak
268 km (167 mi) ESE from epicenter	Croix-des-Bouquets Ouest, Haiti.
270 km (168 mi) W from epicenter	Bartolomé Masó Granma, Cuba.
272 km (169 mi) SE from epicenter	Kenscoff Ouest, Haiti.
273 km (170 mi) W from epicenter	Yara Granma, Cuba.
274 km (170 mi) WNW from epicenter	Puerto Padre Las Tunas, Cuba.
276 km (171 mi) WNW from epicenter	Río Cauto Granma, Cuba.
276 km (171 mi) ESE from epicenter	Thomazeau Ouest, Haiti.
281 km (175 mi) E from epicenter	Dajabón Dajabón, Dominican Republic.
285 km (177 mi) E from epicenter	San Fernando de Monte Cristi Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic.
292 km (181 mi) W from epicenter	Manzanillo Granma, Cuba.
294 km (183 mi) WNW from epicenter	Las Tunas Las Tunas, Cuba.

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is V. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

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 12 people in 4 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 12 people have reported shaking in 7 places in 4 countries (Cuba, Haiti, Bahamas, Dominican Republic).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

Guantánamo, Guantánamo, Cuba: 6 people.
Baracoa, Guantánamo, Cuba: 1 person.
Bombardopolis, Nord-Ouest, Haiti: 1 person.
Port-au-Prince, Ouest, Haiti: 1 person.
Matthew Town, Inagua Islands, Bahamas: 1 person.
Dajabón, Dajabón, Dominican Republic: 1 person.
Cap-Haïtien, Nord, Haiti: 1 person.

Risk of aftershocks?

We have not yet detected any foreshocks or aftershocks (MAG-2.5 or higher) within 100km (62 mi) of this earthquake.

Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.

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).

Earthquakes like this are common in the region

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since December 23rd, 2024, when a 5.9 magnitude earthquake hit 236 km (146 mi) further west. An even stronger magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck on August 14th, 2021.

In total, 7 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.5 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 year.

Low 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.

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

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.	Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 5.5. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami.	This earthquake occurred at a depth of of 10 km (6 mi). Earthquakes this shallow could trigger a tsunami.

Sources

Last updated 08/02/26 22:28 (). 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.