Earthquake alert in Cuba: Between technology and official protocols
- Written by Yanela Ruiz González
- Published in Opinion
- Hits: 159
On Tuesday, August 18, mobile phone users across Cuba received an automatic earthquake warning on their Android celular devices, which provoked an immediate reaction: people left their homes and workplaces, and social media was flooded with comments, images, videos, and live streams of the widespread confusion. But, in the following minutes, the authorities assured everyone that no such event had occurred.
Dr. Enrique Diego Arango Arias, head of the National Seismological Service and technical deputy director of CENAIS, said that the network of seismological stations that monitor the national territory in real time did not detect any seismic activity. "The alarm that reached mobile devices has no basis in any officially issued alert," he stated. Civil Defense, through its official channels and state media outlets such as Cubadebate, also denied the earthquake had occured.
The origin of the message remains unknown. In response to rumors of a possible Etecsa test, Sandra Sánchez Reyes, director of the Mincom territorial control office in Holguín, clarified that no responsibility has been identified that would implicate them.
The most compelling hypothesis circulating on social media pointed to the operation of Google's seismic alert system for Android phones. This system transforms mobile devices into a complementary detection network by using their accelerometers to identify movements consistent with an earthquake. If several phones in an area register a similar movement, the system can estimate that an earthquake is occurring and issue a warning.
However, experts reiterated that this technological tool, useful in other countries, does not replace professional seismological monitoring and can contain errors. Automatic detection of this type is not equivalent to official confirmation of an earthquake by the authorities.
What happened this Tuesday brought to the table key issues related to risk communication, official protocols and citizen preparedness in the face of a danger that, due to its sudden nature, demands a coordinated response.
How does the seismological monitoring system work in Cuba ?
Dr. Jorge Luis Noa Hernández, a researcher at the National Center for Seismological Research (CENAIS) in Holguín, explained to ¡ahora! local newspaper that the seismological service system is unique and functions as a network, with several seismological stations distributed throughout the country, including the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud. In Holguín, there are three stations, located in Moa, Pinares de Mayarí, and the provincial capital.
“We also have an alternative station. In the event that the central station in Santiago de Cuba is unable to respond to a strong event, we would assume the task of reporting data, evaluating parameters, and conducting the corresponding analyses,” he explained.
According to Dr. Noa, these stations, which operate 24 hours a day, work through Etecsa's data channels. They are equipped to capture the ground signal and digitize that information. When an earthquake occurs, whether of low or high intensity, the central station in Santiago de Cuba triggers a signal and automatically analyzes each event. Then, a team of specialists delves into the specifics based on the information generated by all the stations.
“It’s important to emphasize that earthquakes cannot be predicted. Generally speaking, an earthquake can occur anywhere in the country. What we can anticipate, based on historical records, is where they are more likely and stronger, for example, in Santiago de Cuba, Moa… but the exact moment it will happen or its magnitude is unknown,” he commented.
Noa also noted that the greatest seismic activity is recorded in the province of Santiago de Cuba. In the case of Holguín, earthquakes can occur primarily along the northern coast, such as in the Moa area, where they have been moderate, although there have been impacts and damage to buildings.
“We have the case of the Gibara region, which in 1914 was affected by a 6.2 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale. Since then, there have been other small earthquakes. In June, one was recorded near Pinar del Río, but offshore, and it caused no damage. There could also be an unknown fault line that could generate an earthquake.
“A seismological report is issued daily with information on earthquakes that have occurred in the last 24 hours. This information is sent to the Civil Defense Agency, the government, risk management centers, and any other entities that request it,” he stated.
The specialist explained that when there is a significant earthquake, informational bulletins are issued and sent to the Civil Defense General Staff, which is responsible for disseminating this information to the public. All information related to seismic activity occurring in the national territory and adjacent areas is also available on the website www.cenais.gob.cu.
The Civil Defense Response
The incident showed the importance of the protocols established by Civil Defense. In a conversation with Lieutenant Colonel Yulieski Suárez Franco, head of this agency in the province, it was known that unlike hurricanes, which have an information phase, earthquake communication management omits this stage as they are unpredictable phenomena. In other words, they cannot be foreseen, nor can an alert be issued before they occur. The first sign is the tremor itself.
“In the event of a real earthquake, the warning system is activated immediately upon feeling the tremor or detecting a seismic swarm. The situation is communicated to the the decision-makers, and response brigades are activated, comprised of the Red Cross, firefighters, rescuers, and other specialists.
“The National Civil Defense General Staff is responsible for establishing the phases and procedures for the population to follow.” In this case, based on information provided by the National Seismological Research Center (CENAIS), the system establishes alert phases (in the event of a moderate earthquake or a swarm), alarm phases (when a large-magnitude event occurs), and recovery phases,” he explained.
These phases, he said, are communicated to the public through mass media. The response structure includes specialized planning, information, and outreach groups, whose objective is to coordinate actions and keep the public informed.
Lieutenant Colonel Suárez Franco noted that these internal operating protocols within the organization are governed by Directive No. 1 of the President of the National Defense Council, which includes the monitoring and preparedness of structures and the updating of warning plans and decision-making processes.
These plans encompass everything related to hazard assessment, the identification of the most vulnerable areas, command and communications organization, and inter-territorial cooperation.
Citizen preparedness: The role of the family guide
While the alarm generated this Tuesday amounted to little more than a scare, and its origin remains to be determined, it demonstrated that a significant portion of the population knows how to react to an earthquake. However, it is worth reiterating the importance of maintaining preparedness to face a phenomenon of this magnitude. In this regard, retired Captain Daniel Hidalgo Feria, territorial policy specialist for Civil Defense in the province, highlighted the Family Guide for earthquake protection.
Developed by the National Civil Defense General Staff, this guide serves as a tool to orient the population. Among the preventative measures, the following stand out: preparing a backpack with essential items (flashlight, portable radio, water, non-perishable food, first-aid supplies, copy of ID); ensuring exits are clear of obstacles; identifying the safest areas of the home; securing objects that could fall; and establishing a family meeting point.
During an earthquake, the guide advises remaining calm, turning off the electricity and gas if possible, leaving immediately if feasible, without running or pushing, and going to an open and safe place, away from poles, wires, and buildings. If you cannot leave, take shelter in a corner, under a column, or under a sturdy piece of furniture.
“After an earthquake, people should wait for the authorities to indicate that it is safe to return to your building and remain alert for aftershocks. Preparedness, as outlined in the guide, is a fundamental pillar of civil defense. An informed and trained population can react more effectively and reduce the impact of these events,” Daniel said.
Tuesday’s earthquake made it clear that success in managing a risk, such as an earthquake, lies not only in a rapid alert, but also in the implementation of a system that combines specialized monitoring, clear action protocols, and, above all, a prepared population.
It also demonstrated that, in the digital age, the speed of communication necessitates verifying information to avoid unnecessary panic. In the event of any real earthquake, official channels are responsible for activating protocols promptly and issuing the required messages.
