Earthquake Off Florida Straights Registers 5.1
By Space Coast Daily // January 9, 2014
NO DANGER OF Tsunami
A 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Cuba at a depth of six miles in the Straits of Florida about 4 p.m. today, according to the National Tsunami Warning Center.
The National Tsunami Warning Center said there was no danger, as the quake happened about 100 miles east of Havana, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. In Cuba, there were no reports any damage or injuries.
According to Wikipedia, Cuba is located in an area with several active fault systems which produce on average about 2,000 seismic events each year.
Approximately 70 percent of seismic activity in Cuba emanates from the Oriente fault zone, located in the Bartlett-Cayman fault system which runs along the south-eastern coast of Cuba and marks the tectonic boundary between the North American Plate and the Caribbean Plate.
While most registered seismic events pass unnoticed, the island has been struck by a number of destructive earthquakes over the past four centuries, including several major quakes with a magnitude of 7.0 or above.
Approximately 70 percent of seismic activity in Cuba emanates from the Oriente fault zone, located in the Bartlett-Cayman fault system which runs along the south-eastern coast of Cuba and marks the tectonic boundary between the North American Plate and the Caribbean Plate.
The 12 currently active faults in Cuba also include the Cauto Nipe, Cochinos and Nortecubana faults. Destructive earthquakes originating from the Oriente fault occurred in 1766 (7.6), 1852 (7.2) and 1932 (6.75).
Some studies suggest there is a high probability the Oriente fault will produce a magnitude 7 earthquake in the near future.
