Strong earthquakes reported off Cuba coast prompting small tsunami threat

HAVANA, Cuba – Two strong earthquakes were reported off Cuba late Sunday morning, prompting officials to warn of a small tsunami threat.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the two earthquakes were reported within an hour of each other.

The first was a magnitude 5.9 that was reported just before 11 a.m. ET approximately 22 miles south of Bartolomé Masó, Cuba, at a depth of about 9 miles.

The second earthquake, which is the stronger of the two, was reported an hour later just before noon ET. That earthquake was a magnitude 6.8 and was centered about 25 miles south of Bartolomé Masó at a depth of about 8 miles.

Shortly after the second earthquake was reported, the National Weather Service Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) in Honolulu issued an alert stating that while there was no significant threat of a tsunami, “there is a very small possibility of tsunami waves along coasts nearest to the epicenter.”

The NWS National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska, said there was no tsunami danger for the U.S. East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico or the eastern coast of Canada.

The PTWC said that would be its only notification, and national authorities will determine the appropriate level of alerts for each country and may issue additional or more refined information.

Shaking from the earthquakes was reported across the region, with people in Jamaica also reporting feeling the ground move late Sunday morning.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in Jamaica posted to social media that moderate shaking was reported across the island.

A short time later, the ODPEM said there was no tsunami threat as a result of the earthquake.

It’s unknown if any damage, injuries or deaths were reported as a result of the earthquakes.

This is a developing story. Check back frequently for updates.