Strong quake off Mexican coast rattles Guatemala and El Salvador, but leaves no damage

Powerful 7.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Mexican Coast

A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the southern Pacific coast of Mexico near the border with Guatemala on Friday, triggering widespread tremors across the region and prompting temporary tsunami precautions. Despite the intensity of the quake, which was felt as far away as Mexico City and El Salvador, authorities in the affected countries have reported no significant damage or casualties.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at approximately 7:48 a.m. The epicenter was located roughly 30 miles southwest of Aquiles Serdán in the Mexican state of Chiapas, at a depth of approximately 9 miles. The main event was preceded by a smaller offshore tremor and followed by a series of aftershocks, with the USGS reporting at least five ranging between magnitudes 5.1 and 6.0, while other reports indicated over 30 aftershocks recorded by the Mexican seismological service.

Regional Impact and Evacuations

The tremors were widely felt throughout southern Mexico and Central America, causing panic in several urban centers during the morning commute. In Tapachula, Mexico, residents reported that the shaking began mildly before intensifying, prompting an orderly evacuation of local facilities. We were upstairs on the second floor when it started shaking; we thought it would pass, but then it got stronger, so we all went downstairs and evacuated in an orderly manner to the front courtyard, said Alejandra Mendoza, a public hospital employee.

In Guatemala City, the prolonged duration of the shaking led to the evacuation of multiple buildings during the morning rush hour. Videos shared on social media reportedly showed landslides along roads in the country’s western region. As a precautionary measure, the Guatemalan Ministry of Education suspended in-person classes in the departments of San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Suchitepéquez, and Retalhuleu.

In Mexico City, some tall buildings swayed, but the city’s seismic alert system did not activate. The government stated the system remained silent because the initial energy released by the quake did not exceed the required activation thresholds.

Tsunami Precautions and Official Response

Following the earthquake, authorities issued tsunami precautions for coastal areas within 186 miles of the epicenter. The Chiapas Meteorological Service initially warned that tsunami waves of up to approximately 3.3 feet could reach parts of the Mexican and Guatemalan coasts.

While the threat was canceled by the U.S. Tsunami Warning System about three hours after the quake, the Mexican navy maintained a recommendation for the public to avoid beaches for at least six hours as a safety measure. In the border town of Suchiate, Mayor Elmer Vázquez Gallardo confirmed that local authorities were monitoring coastal conditions. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that preliminary assessments conducted with regional governors showed no significant damage.

Seismic Context of the Region

The earthquake occurred within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a 25,000-mile belt of volcanoes and seismic zones surrounding the Pacific Ocean. Southern Mexico and Central America are situated at the convergence of tectonic plates, including the Cocos Plate, which is subducting beneath the North American Plate. This geological activity makes the region one of the most earthquake-prone areas in the world.

The region has a history of destructive seismic events, including a 2017 earthquake in Mexico City that resulted in hundreds of deaths. Earlier this year, another strong earthquake in southern and central Mexico caused two fatalities.

Summary of Seismic Activity