International specialists explore tectonic faults in the southeastern coast of Cuba.

Specialists from six countries are immersed in a scientific expedition on the southeastern coast of Cuba to analyze the risks associated with an active system of twin faults located on the northern edge of the Caribbean tectonic plate. This joint research, which began in June and will extend until August, has sparked international interest in the study of seismic activity in one of the regions most prone to such phenomena on the Caribbean island. The oceanographic fleet Pourquoi-Pas? has been the epicenter of this scientific mission, belonging to the French research institute Ifremer and the French Navy. With the participation of experts from Cuba, France, Belgium, Germany, Haiti, and the United States, geophysical measurements and the use of specialized equipment are being carried out to obtain detailed records of potential faults that could pose a latent danger to the region. According to Dr. Bladimir Moreno Toirán, a specialist from the National Center for Seismological Research (CENAIS) in Santiago de Cuba, the marine expedition aims to characterize the behavior and movement of the tectonic fault, as well as determine the thermal state and the influence of fluids in the fault rupture process. Additionally, the research seeks to investigate the tectonic history and the structure of the crust and mantle in the study area. During the campaign, various analyses of geophysical measurements will be carried out, including multichannel seismic reflection and wide-angle seismic surveys, using seismometers installed on the seabed. The collected information is being processed by CENAIS, which highlighted the importance of this study to better understand seismic risks in the region and take appropriate preventive measures. The Oriente geological fault, located south of the eastern region of Cuba, has been identified as the main area of seismic activity on the island, with a high number of movements detected in the last year. According to CENAIS' annual summary, a total of 7,475 earthquakes were recorded in Cuba in 2023, of which 14 were perceptible by the population. These figures underscore the importance of studies like the one carried out by international seismologists in the southeastern region of the country. Furthermore, CENAIS recently presented a map compiling the epicenters of earthquakes detected from 1998 to 2024, indicating the areas where seismic movements are most likely to occur in a country characterized by its seismic activity. Local experts have emphasized the importance of monitoring these events, even those of low magnitude, due to their ability to generate long-term structural issues. In a broader context, CENAIS has also developed a map of tsunami hazard zones along the coasts of Cuba, presented during international events on natural disasters and emergency prevention. These initiatives demonstrate Cuba's commitment to strengthening its response capacity to adverse natural events and promoting scientific collaboration at the international level to mitigate the risks associated with seismic activity in the Caribbean region.