1932 Cuba earthquake

1932 Cuba earthquake

Debris and damage of Swift & Co. building (second floor) in Santiago after earthquake.
UTC  time	1932-02-03 06:16:02
USGS-ANSS	ComCat
Local date	February 3, 1932 (1932-02-03)
Magnitude	Mw 6.7
Depth	25.0 km (15.5 mi)
Epicenter	19°40′55″N75°40′37″W / 19.682°N 75.677°W / 19.682; -75.677
Total damage	US$10,000,000 [1]
Max. intensity	VI (Strong)
Peak acceleration	0.158 g
Peak velocity	2.84 cm/s
Casualties	8-12 dead, 300 injured

The 1932 Cuba earthquake occurred on 3 February 1932 at 6:16 UTC in Santiago de Cuba. It had a magnitude of 6.7 on the moment magnitude scale and a maximum perceived intensity of VI (Strong) on the Mercalli intensity scale. The epicenter of the earthquake was on the northern edge of the Bartlett Deep, approximately thirty miles from Santiago. ^[2] The event resulted in at least 8 dead and 300 injured.

Background

The Septentrional–Oriente fault zone is a strike-slip fault system that runs along Cuba's southern edge. ^[3] A study conducted by professor Stephen Taber, who had been in Santiago during the earthquake, found new faults had formed prior to 3 February. ^[2]

A strong seismic tremor was recorded at around five o'clock in the evening the day of. However, it did not raise significant alarm as such occurrences were common, the city notable for having high seismic activity in the West Indies. ^{[4] [5]}

Aftermath

There were reports of 8-12 fatalities, and approximately 300 people sustained injuries ^{[5] [4]} from the collapse of various structures, including hospitals, schools, and industrial facilities. Because of the damage and foundational instability of Santiago’s prisons, the inmates were transferred to nearby military barracks. ^[3]

References

1. "CUBA EARTHQUAKE; Low Death-roll, Damage to Property". The Sydney Morning Herald . North Sydney, Australia: Nine Entertainment. 5 February 1932. p. 9. Archived from the original on 14 November 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
2. "The Cuba Earthquake of Feb. 3". Nature . 129 (311). Nature Portfolio: 311. 27 February 1932. doi:10.1038/129311d0. Archived from the original on 14 November 2024. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
3. Moreno Toiran, Bladimir (1 July 2002). "The New Cuban Seismograph Network" (PDF). Seismological Research Letters. 73 (4). Seismological Society of America: 505, 507. doi:10.1785/gssrl.73.4.504. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
4. Garcia, Andres (4 February 1932). "WITNESS DESCRIBES TERROR IN QUAKE; Residents Rushed in Confusion Amid Toppling Walls While Shocks Rocked City. REFUGEES THRONG PARKS Some Risked Death in Search for Dear Ones as Others Fled Over Debris to Open Spaces" . The New York Times . p. 3. Archived from the original on 17 March 2018. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
5. "The Earthquake in Cuba". Nature . 129 (229). Nature Portfolio: 229. 13 February 1932. doi:10.1038/129229b0. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2024.

See also

• List of earthquakes in 1932
• List of earthquakes in Cuba