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A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck near Cuba on Monday, its tremors felt as far away as Florida, prompting temporary closures of several attractions at Walt Disney World for safety precautions.
The quake’s epicenter was located approximately 64 miles from Mantua, Cuba, at a depth of about 16 miles. Authorities confirmed no tsunami warning was issued following the event. The National Weather Service reported that the shaking was felt throughout southwestern Florida.
Social media quickly filled with reports from theme park visitors and residents alike. One guest waiting in line for Big Thunder Mountain at Disney recounted how rides were suddenly suspended, with cast members uncertain about the cause.
Another visitor at Hollywood Studios noted feeling the quake just as the Beauty and the Beast show began. Fortunately, after the initial precautionary shutdowns, most attractions resumed normal operations.
The quake’s impact extended beyond the theme parks. Residents in areas north of Orlando described experiencing noticeable shaking.
Maria Moncayo, working in a downtown Fort Lauderdale law office, described a vibrating sensation lasting about a minute, likening it initially to nearby construction. “I saw a pendant on my desk swinging, which made me realize it wasn’t just me or my chair moving,” she said.
In Miami-Dade County, officials evacuated several buildings, including a 28-story government office tower in downtown Miami, and temporarily halted two elevated commuter train lines as a precaution. No injuries or significant damage have been reported.
In western Cuba, Flavia Pupo, a hotel manager in Pinar del Rio, described the building shaking and the resulting unease among locals, though she confirmed everyone was safe.
Experts emphasize the rarity of such an event in the region. William Barnhart, a geophysicist with the U.S.
Geological Survey, noted this was the largest recorded earthquake in the Gulf of Mexico since modern monitoring began in the 1950s. “There have only been about five or six earthquakes of magnitude 5 or greater known in the entire Gulf,” Barnhart said.
For many Floridians like Moncayo, the quake was a startling reminder of seismic activity not often experienced in the region. Having previously lived in Ecuador, where she experienced a devastating 7.8-magnitude quake in 2016, the tremors brought back vivid memories, though she acknowledged this event was much less severe.