Seismic instruments indicate the earthquake was shallow, originating at a depth of about 12.5 miles beneath the city of Acapulco.

Perceived shaking for the quake was very strong near the epicenter. Moderate shaking was felt in Mexico City.

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Visit the USGS earthquake event page for more information. The preliminary USGS Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) report is Orange for both shaking-related fatalities and economic losses, indicating significant casualties and damage are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread.

The earthquake resulted from thrust faulting on the subduction zone where the Cocos plate dives down into the mantle beneath the North America plate and Central America. Large earthquakes in the region are common. This earthquake occurred along a segment of the Middle America subduction zone that is thought capable of producing magnitude 8 or greater earthquakes, and that has not hosted an event larger than magnitude 7 since 1911. 

If you felt this earthquake, report your experience on the “USGS Did You Feel It?” website for this event.

For information about tsunami watches, warnings or advisories, visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tsunami website.

Learn more about the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.

We will update this story if more information becomes available.

Earthquake Information/Resources

• Earthquake Basics
• USGS Earthquakes Homepage
• Earthquake Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• USGS Roles, Responsibility, and Research
• Did You Feel It?