An earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale shook several towns in the provinces of Granma and Santiago de Cuba on Tuesday, sparking concern and immediate reactions on social media. The quake was noticeably felt by locals, leading to a flurry of worried messages in Facebook groups from areas like Media Luna, Manzanillo, Pilón, and Niquero.
In Media Luna, one resident shared, "We felt it too. It was strong." Similarly, in Pilón, another user recounted, "It woke me up in the morning. May God watch over and protect our land." Meanwhile, in Manzanillo, someone noted that "the shaking hasn't stopped" and mentioned experiencing minor aftershocks.
Community Fear and Anxiety
The anxiety and fear of potential future events were evident in comments such as that of a user who wrote, "It's too much what we're going through. May God protect us." The earthquake was recorded at 6:11 a.m., with its epicenter located 20.51 kilometers southwest of Pilón in Granma, according to Enrique Diego Arango Arias, head of the National Seismological Service at the National Center for Seismological Research (CENAIS).
This seismic event, occurring at a depth of 10 kilometers, is part of an ongoing series of tremors in the region, which has seen thousands of aftershocks following the significant earthquakes of 6.0 and 6.7 magnitude on November 10th. Since then, CENAIS has logged over 4,500 aftershocks, with 106 being strong enough to be felt by residents.
Psychological Impact and Government Response
The psychological toll of these continuous tremors is palpable in local accounts. A mother from Pilón expressed that the constant shaking makes it impossible to "have a life," while others voiced concerns about ongoing seismic activity affecting the area.
Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and adhere to safety protocols during such events. As of now, there have been no reports of significant material damage or injuries related to this latest quake.