A powerful magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck off the western coast of Cuba on Monday, shaking parts of the Caribbean and sending tremors across Cuba, Mexico, and as far as Florida in the United States. The quake hit in waters west of Cuba at a shallow depth of around 10 kilometres, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). It was initially reported as stronger before being revised down to 6.1.
Authorities said the epicentre was located offshore near western Cuba, a region along the active Oriente fault system, which has produced several major earthquakes in the past. Shaking was reported across western Cuba, including Havana, where residents briefly evacuated buildings as offices and homes swayed.
The impact extended far beyond the island, with strong tremors felt in parts of United States — including Florida cities such as Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville. Residents described sudden shaking lasting several seconds, with furniture moving and buildings swaying.
In Mexico, reports also emerged from coastal areas such as Playa del Carmen, where residents said the tremors were intense but short-lived. In Florida, authorities moved quickly to evacuate several buildings in Miami-Dade County, including government offices, as a precaution.
Elevated commuter rail services were temporarily suspended in parts of downtown Miami while safety inspections were carried out. Officials later confirmed there were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries, but said monitoring was ongoing.
The US National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that no tsunami warning was issued following the quake due to its depth and offshore location. However, seismologists warned that aftershocks remain possible in the region.
The earthquake occurred along the tectonically active boundary near the Caribbean plate, where seismic activity is relatively frequent. Experts say the quake is linked to the Oriente fault system, which runs along Cuba’s southeastern region and is known for producing strong historical earthquakes, including a major 7.7-magnitude event in 2020.
The region experiences frequent seismic activity due to the interaction between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates. In Havana and nearby regions, residents reported brief panic as buildings shook, but local officials confirmed that there were no immediate reports of serious structural damage or casualties.
Hotel staff in parts of western Cuba said guests were frightened but remained safe as evacuation procedures were followed. The earthquake comes amid a year of heightened global seismic activity, including several strong quakes in the Caribbean and Pacific regions.
Earlier this year, similar offshore earthquakes in the region triggered brief tsunami alerts and precautionary evacuations, though most resulted in limited damage.