A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.2 has hit southwestern Mexico, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). So far, there have been no reports of casualties or damage.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located eight kilometers from the municipality of Coalkoman de Vázquez Paljares, with approximately 20,000 residents, about 600 kilometers west of Mexico City.
The earthquake occurred at a moderate depth of 86.2 kilometers below the Earth’s surface.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum posted on platform X that emergency services have reported no new developments and are monitoring the situation in Coalkoman.
Mexico sits on five tectonic plates, making it one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world.
A magnitude 8.1 earthquake in 1985 devastated much of central and southern Mexico, killing thousands and causing significant damage to Mexico City.
On September 19, 2017, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake killed 369 people, mostly in the capital. Another earthquake struck central Mexico on the same date in 2022.
Earthquakes with a magnitude between 6.0 and 6.9 are considered strong. They can cause damage to well-built structures, and poorly designed buildings may suffer severe damage. Such earthquakes are felt over wide areas, up to 100 kilometers from the epicenter. Between 100 and 150 earthquakes of this magnitude occur worldwide annually.
