A significant earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.5 struck Cuba on Sunday, February 8, 2026. The tremors were felt across the island, originating at a shallow depth of approximately 15 kilometers. Initial reports from seismological centers indicated varying magnitudes, with some initially reporting a 5.9 before settling on 5.5.
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) was among the first to report the seismic event, initially stating a magnitude of 5.9 before revising it down to 5.5. Other agencies, including Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) and Germany’s Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), provided slightly different readings, with magnitudes reported as 5.6 and 5.7 respectively. The epicenter was located approximately 49 km southeast of Baracoa, in the Guantanamo Province.
While the earthquake is not expected to have caused significant widespread damage, it was likely felt by many residents in the affected areas. Cities such as Maisi, Baracoa, Rio Guayabal de Yateras, Guantanamo, and Moa experienced light shaking. The shallow depth of the earthquake means its seismic waves reached the surface more rapidly, potentially causing stronger ground motion in the immediate vicinity of the epicenter.
This event in Cuba occurred amidst a period of notable seismic activity globally. In the preceding days, earthquakes of varying magnitudes were reported in regions including Xinjiang, Tibet, Myanmar, and Greece, highlighting ongoing geological shifts across the planet.