Dr. Enrique Diego Arango Arias, head of Cuba's National Seismological Service at the National Center for Seismological Research (CENAIS), addressed comments made by American geologist Grenville Draper regarding the recent seismic events that occurred on Sunday southeast of Pilón in Granma Province. Draper, a researcher from Florida International University (FIU), spoke to Telemundo 51, stating that "there is a main earthquake followed by smaller ones. More could follow. I would advise residents to avoid being in buildings that might have been weakened by the initial large quake."
He further explained, "There may be minor tremors. Typically, the pattern involves smaller aftershocks. Occasionally, larger aftershocks can happen, but it's uncommon." Draper also suggested vigilance during the first 48 hours and cautioned against staying in high-rise buildings, especially overnight, due to potential structural damage.
These statements prompted Dr. Arango, with his extensive experience in Cuban seismology, to make certain clarifications. "A replica never exceeds the main earthquake. It's incorrect to claim otherwise. The 6.0 magnitude quake was a precursor to the subsequent 6.7 earthquake," emphasized Arango.
Expertise and Local Insight
Dr. Arango highlighted that CENAIS is equipped with "a team of specialists from various fields, such as civil engineers, geologists, and seismologists, who possess the knowledge necessary to handle such situations." He suggested that recommendations for managing the current seismic crisis would be more effective if made by Cuban experts.
Through social media platforms, Dr. Arango consistently updates the public on seismic activities in Cuba, becoming an essential source of information during periods of high tectonic activity. For instance, on Monday, he alerted on Facebook about ongoing "aftershocks in the area southeast of Pilón in Granma Province, while the rest of the country, including the southeastern region near the Oriente fault, remains calm at this time."
Preparedness and Safety Measures
He reiterated that "it is not possible to predict short-term seismic activity." Therefore, he emphasized that residents should adhere to the Civil Defense's established measures in response to moderate or significant earthquakes across the eastern regions of Cuba.
Arango's recommendations are also considered by the government. In light of the seismic situation in eastern Cuba, where 885 earthquakes were recorded in less than 24 hours, provincial authorities are contemplating the installation of a field hospital as a response measure to the crisis.