Mexico Earthquake of Magnitude 7.4 Triggers 137 Aftershocks in Chiapas
A magnitude 7.4 Mexico earthquake struck near the Mexico-Guatemala border in Chiapas on Friday, triggering 137 aftershocks in Mexico, 42 aftershocks and 58 emergencies in Guatemala, minor structural damage on both sides of the border, and a brief preventive tsunami alert. [4]
Overview of the Mainshock
The mainshock occurred at 08:48 local time in Ciudad Hidalgo, Chiapas. [4] It was caused by subduction between the Cocos and Caribbean plates. [4] The event registered magnitude 7.4 and produced a preventive tsunami alert that was later addressed by authorities. [4] Official reports placed the epicenter close to the shared border with Guatemala. [4]
Seismic Sequence and Aftershocks
Mexico recorded 137 aftershocks by 17:00 local time, the largest measuring magnitude 6.5. [4] A prior magnitude-5.0 tremor was detected at 07:20. [4] In Guatemala, authorities documented 42 aftershocks following the main event. [4] The Servicio Sismológico Nacional tracked the sequence through the afternoon hours. [4] Additional smaller events such as the M4.1 earthquake 62 km SW of Puerto Madero were noted in regional monitoring. [3]
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck near the Mexico-Guatemala border in Chiapas triggering multiple aftershocks. — Source: gdelt
Impacts in Chiapas, Mexico
The Chiapas governor suspended state public services while damage assessments continued. [4] Eduardo Ramírez decreed the suspension of labores in the servicio público estatal. [4] The Servicio Sismológico Nacional reported the full tally of 137 aftershocks by 17:00 local time. [4] Reviews of inmuebles and infraestructura pública y privada remained underway across the state. [4] The Mexico earthquake sequence prompted ongoing inspections of both public and private structures. [4]
Effects Reported in Guatemala
Guatemala recorded one hospitalized person, 11 evacuations, landslides on three roads, and structural damage including cracks in 14 schools and 12 public buildings. [4] Authorities reported 58 emergencies tied to the event. [4] Wave variations reached 34 cm along the litoral of San Marcos and the costa sur. [4] No muertes were reported despite the shaking felt across the Pacific coast. [4]
A magnitude 5.5 aftershock strikes Ciudad Hidalgo in Chiapas following the main 7.4 earthquake. — Source: gdelt
Tsunami Alert and Cancellation
The phenomenon generated a preventive alerta de tsunami with variations in the oleaje of up to 34 centimeters. [4] The alert was later canceled following assessment of the mainshock and aftershocks. [5] Officials monitored the litoral areas in San Marcos and the southern coast before lifting the measure. [4]
Tectonic Context and Outlook
Three tectonic plates converge in the region where the North American, Cocos, and Caribbean plates meet. [5] The mainshock was caused by a choque de tipo inverso due to compression among these plates. [5] The area holds a history of large earthquakes, including three superficial events greater than 7.5 magnitude along the coasts at the start of the twentieth century. [5] Experts state that no megaterremoto is currently forecast because prediction techniques do not yet exist. [5] The Servicio Sismológico Nacional indicated that hundreds of temblores poco potentes may continue in the coming days or weeks as the plates readjust. [5]
What to watch next: continued smaller tremors are expected in the days and weeks ahead as the plates readjust following the mainshock. [5]
