Local date | 11 June 1766 |
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Local time | 00:00 |
Magnitude | 6.8 Ms |
Depth | 25 km (16 mi) |
Epicenter | 19°54′N 76°06′W / 19.9°N 76.1°W |
Fault | Septentrional-Oriente fault zone |
Type | Strike-slip |
Areas affected | Cuba |
Max. intensity | MSK-64 IX (Destructive) |
Aftershocks | Yes, for 66 days |
Casualties | 34–40, 700 injured |
The southern part of Cuba was struck by a major earthquake on 12 June 1766 at midnight local time. It had an estimated magnitude of 6.8 Ms and a maximum felt intensity of IX (destructive) on the MSK scale. Its epicenter was offshore, near Santiago de Cuba, with a focal depth of 25 km. Santiago de Cuba suffered the worst damage, although large areas of Cuba were affected. It was felt in both Havana (800 km) and on Jamaica (140 km). Between 34 and 40 people died and a further 700 were injured.[1]