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The seismologist Enrique Diego Arango Arias, head of the National Seismological Service of Cuba, alerted this Monday about unusual seismic activity that has been occurring since Sunday in the area of Manzanillo, in the province of Granma.
“Very interesting seismic activity has been recorded since yesterday in Manzanillo, so we must stay alert,” wrote Arango Arias on his Facebook account, where he also shared two official seismic reports from the National Center for Seismological Research (CENAIS) that he had not been able to share in time.
The specialist explained that the delay was due to the conditions faced by the Cuban population on a daily basis: "Due to a lack of electricity, coverage, and technical problems with the phone, I was unable to share the seismic report yesterday, June 28."
The official records of CENAIS reveal the extent of what has occurred in the region in the last 48 hours.
The report for the period from June 27 to 28 recorded 23 earthquakes in eastern Cuba, with the Cauto-Guacanayabo area — which includes Manzanillo — accounting for five events with magnitudes between 2.4 and 2.9.
The Santiago-Baconao area was the most active during that period, with nine earthquakes ranging from 1.3 to 2.6 in magnitude, followed by Imías with eight events ranging from 2.1 to 2.9.
The report from June 28 to 29 recorded 11 earthquakes in Cuba and nearby areas, including an event of magnitude 2.8 in Cauto-Guacanayabo and an earthquake of magnitude 4.0 near Barbados, the most significant of the period in the Caribbean.
Manzanillo is located in the influence area of the Cauto-Nipe fault, an active tectonic structure over 260 kilometers long that crosses eastern Cuba and is considered one of the most seismically hazardous areas in the country.
This region already experienced an intense seismic sequence in November 2024, with a main event of magnitude 6.7 that generated over 4,500 aftershocks and caused damage to 248 homes in Manzanillo.
In his publication, Arango Arias also referred to the devastating double earthquake in Venezuela on June 24, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, clarifying that the United States Geological Survey (USGS) adjusted the focal mechanisms of both events and that "clearly, it was all part of the same seismic sequence, which started with a rupture, paused for a few seconds, and then the fault segment completely ruptured".
The expert noted that it is normal for aftershocks from that earthquake to continue occurring for months.
Arango Arias also took the opportunity to apologize to his followers for not being able to answer calls during the noticeable earthquakes: "At that moment, I was busy preparing the official report and attending to the press and visitors arriving at the central station where my office is located."
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