PORTALBERITA.CO.ID - A significant seismic event registered on Monday afternoon, June 9, 2026, when a powerful 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck in the waters off the coast of Cuba. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) located the tremor approximately 65 miles northwest of Mantua, recorded at a depth of 16 miles beneath the seabed.
This particular seismic occurrence is notable as it marks the strongest tremor recorded in that specific geographical area in nearly 150 years, as reported by The Guardian. Despite the widespread shaking felt across several nations, preliminary reports confirmed that no fatalities, injuries, or substantial property damage resulted from the event.
Residents across Florida, a region rarely subjected to noticeable seismic activity, reported feeling the unusual afternoon disturbance. Tampa Bay resident Britnee Jeffries conveyed her surprise to the local news outlet WFLA following the incident.
"It was very strong and it was honestly kind of scary," said Britnee Jeffries, Tampa Bay resident.
Ms. Jeffries elaborated that the inherent rarity of earthquakes in the Sunshine State contributed significantly to her anxiety during the brief shaking. She added, "I wasn’t really worried in a sense that I thought it was here because we don’t get earthquakes here. But at the same time, I was worried because we don’t get them here," said Britnee Jeffries, Tampa Bay resident.
In Ruskin, Florida, Barbara German experienced the shaking while working upstairs in her home, sharing her alarming experience with local station WTVT. "It was kind of alarming at first because I really didn’t know what it was," said Barbara German, Ruskin resident.
Bobby Shea, located in St. Petersburg, described the effect on his concrete building, noting that metal fixtures began clanging together violently. He recounted, "I’m in my chair and it started literally going left and right … The metals on my walls kept clamping together and I’m like, ‘Holy smokes, like this is weird. This is a concrete building,’" said Bobby Shea, St. Petersburg resident.
Kelsey Pope, working remotely on the third floor of her apartment, initially misidentified the vibrations before realizing the severity of the situation. She detailed, "I was sitting in my chair working from home when I suddenly felt a distinct shake. At first, I thought it was just my dog Archie moving around, but then I noticed my desk and even the water in my Nespresso machine sloshing back and forth," said Kelsey Pope, local resident.
Ms. Pope expressed immediate concern for her safety due to the noticeable structural movement before the shaking ceased. She continued, "My whole apartment building was swaying, and since I’m on the third floor, I honestly thought it might collapse. After a couple of minutes, the shaking stopped, and I realized it had been an earthquake," said Kelsey Pope, local resident.
