7.3 quake hits Mexican coast near Guatemala, triggering tsunami threat - USA Today
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck near the coast of Chiapas, Mexico, prompting tsunami warnings for nearby coastal areas in Mexico and Guatemala. Authorities reported no significant damage or maritime impact, though residents in neighboring countries felt the tremors.
Why it matters
The event highlights the ongoing seismic vulnerability of the region and the effectiveness of early warning systems in preventing casualties during natural disasters.
Hear this story GUATEMALA CITY – A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck near the coast of Mexico's southernmost state of Chiapas on Friday, triggering a tsunami warning and shaking buildings in neighboring Guatemala and El Salvador.
Authorities reported no immediate damage.
The quake struck at a depth of 9.4 miles, the U.S. Geological Survey said, after revising its earlier assessment of a 7.4 magnitude quake at a shallow, 6.2 mile depth.
Following the tremor, the U.S. Tsunami Warning System said that hazardous tsunami waves were possible along coasts located within 186 miles of the epicenter. The waves could reach levels between 0.3 and 1 meter above tide level for some coasts in Mexico and Guatemala, it said.
Mexico's Navy secretary, Raymundo Morales, said water levels were not expected to rise more than half a meter, but advised people to stay away from beaches nevertheless.
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