The National Center for Seismological Research (CENAIS) has dismissed the circulating rumors about a major earthquake potentially hitting the region around Santiago de Cuba. On Tuesday, they clarified that although there have been 1,943 aftershocks following the earthquakes on November 10th southeast of Pilón, in the Granma province, there is no basis for the alarm regarding a significant seismic event predicted for November 12th.
Dr. Enrique Diego Arango Arias, head of the National Seismological Service at CENAIS, addressed the situation on social media. By 2:00 pm on Tuesday, he confirmed that "a total of 1,943 aftershocks have been recorded since the earthquakes on November 10th."
Debunking Misinformation
Responding to the unfounded warnings that spread fear among residents about an impending massive earthquake, Dr. Arango criticized those responsible for disseminating such claims. "Today, irresponsible individuals have been spreading rumors of a strong earthquake occurring in the city, causing panic in schools, workplaces, and other public venues," he noted.
He emphasized that this information is entirely false, stressing that "earthquakes cannot be predicted in the short or medium term." Dr. Arango assured the public that, in any seismic alert situation, CENAIS, alongside state authorities and Civil Defense, will provide accurate and timely information to prevent the spread of baseless rumors.
Understanding the Causes of Seismic Activity
After the initial 6.0 magnitude warning quake and a main event measuring 6.7, various speculations arose about the cause of these tremors. Some believed there might be connections to hurricanes or the activation of thermoelectric plants. Eberto Hernández Suró, a geologist and seismologist with over thirty years of experience in seismic studies in Cuba, particularly in Granma, clarified to La Demajagua that "the movements of tectonic plates are the primary cause of these tremors."
He further explained, "external factors, such as recent hurricanes, do not impact the occurrence of earthquakes." Hernández acknowledged that while there have been past discussions about possible interactions between climatic and seismic events, "the general conclusion is that seismic phenomena are tectonic in origin, and any coincidence with other natural events is purely coincidental."
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