Key facts
- A magnitude 6.1 earthquake occurred off Cuba's northwest coast.
- The earthquake's epicenter was 104 km west-northwest of Mantua, Cuba.
- Shaking was felt in Cuba, Mexico, and Florida.
- This was the strongest earthquake in the region in nearly 150 years.
- No major damage or casualties have been reported.
- No tsunami warning or watch was issued.
A historically strong magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck off Cuba's northwest coast on Monday, with its epicenter located 104 km west-northwest of Mantua, Cuba, at a shallow depth of 26 km. The earthquake, the strongest in the region in nearly 150 years, caused shaking felt in parts of Cuba, Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula including tourist hubs like Cancun and Tulum, and Florida.
According to seismologist Paul Earle of the USGS, the quake occurred within a tectonic plate, making such a strong event unusual for the area. The last earthquake of comparable strength near this location was a magnitude 6.0 in 1880. While authorities have not yet reported any major damage or casualties, the event caused concern in Cuba, where economic issues have led to disrepair in buildings and widespread blackouts have hampered communications.
Residents in affected areas described the shaking as intense and frightening. Emergency protocols were activated in Mexico's Yucatan and Quintana Roo states, but initial reports indicated no damage. The U.S. National Weather Service confirmed that no tsunami warning or watch was issued following the earthquake.