A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck near the coast of Chiapas, Mexico, close to the Guatemalan border, prompting tsunami warnings for Pacific coastal areas and widespread evacuations. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake's epicenter near Puerto Madero, a port town about eight miles from Guatemala, at a depth of 6.21 miles. Initially recorded as 7.4 magnitude, it was later downgraded.
Tsunami Warning and Potential Waves
The US Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas within 186 miles of the epicenter, warning of hazardous tsunami waves. Waves between 0.3 meters and 1 meter are possible for parts of Guatemala and Mexico, while waves less than 0.3 meters are forecast for Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, and Peru. The system cautioned that persons caught in tsunami waters could drown, be crushed by debris, or be swept to sea.
Evacuations and Government Response
In Guatemala City, the earthquake shook buildings and prompted evacuations, with staff seen leaving a government building in local media videos. Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo stated on X that the national disaster agency CONRED was active and deploying response plans. He reported no fatalities so far and urged calm, asking the population to follow official recommendations.
Liquefaction and Building Vulnerability
The USGS warned that liquefaction—where soil behaves like a liquid due to shaking—could affect an extensive area and population. The agency noted that the region's buildings are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake-resistant construction, with predominant vulnerable types being adobe block with concrete bond beam and mud wall construction.
Magnitude and Impact
A 7.3 magnitude earthquake releases energy roughly equivalent to 15 times the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, capable of causing severe, widespread damage in populated areas. The USGS stated that the population in the region resides in structures vulnerable to seismic events. No deaths have been reported so far, and authorities continue to monitor the situation.
