The Santiago de Cuba earthquake of 11 June 1766: Some new insights

Abstract

Data concerning the Santiago de Cuba earthquake of 11 June 1766 are examined using information collected in the Archivo de Indias, Seville, and other sources in Spain and abroad. The earthquake was felt over a large area including La Habana and Jamaica. A damage distribution with reference to urban settlements is provided. The total number of casualties is estimated at 34 to 40 dead and 700 injured. A tsunami did not occur. The approximate location of the epicentre was 19.9ºN, -76.1ºW, in the Bartlett – Caimán Fault Zone. The focal depth is estimated at 25 km, the epicentral intensity is estimated at IX (MSK) and the magnitude (MS) at 6.8. Between 1578 and 1842 this sector experienced other strong seismic events: four of I=8 (MSK) and six of I=7 (MSK).

Keywords

• Cuba
• historical seismicity
• macroseismic evaluation
• seismotectonics