During the morning of this July 17 An earthquake was reported that mainly affected Guatemala and Mexico. Although at the moment they have not been registered figures of injured or deceased, Yeah generated alarm in the population and activated security protocols in both countries.
These are the ten key facts to understand what happened in both countries, as well as the phenomenon itself:
1. Magnitude and epicenter
Both the Guatemalan and Mexican authorities confirmed that the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4.
According to a bulletin from the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (Insivumeh), the earthquake had its epicenter off the Mexican coast of Chiapas.
2. What time did the earthquake occur?
Both Guatemalan and Mexican authorities confirmed that the earthquake occurred exactly at 8.40 am (14.40 GMT).
3. What happened in Guatemala?
In the Central American country, the earthquake was noticeable in several departments. According to the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred), the most affected have been:
- Chimaltenango
- Retalhuleu
- Sacatepequez
- Saint Mark
- Sololá
- Suchitepequez
- Totonicapan
4. What happened in Mexico?
President Claudia Sheinbaum assured this Friday that no have been reported damage so far, but that the authorities maintain civil protection protocols.
“After the magnitude earthquake 7.4 southwest of Huixtla and those registered in Ciudad Hidalgo, I spoke with the governors of Chiapas and Tabasco, states that have not reported damage so far. Protocols are activated in neighboring entities,” Sheinbaum wrote in his X account.
5. Was it one or two earthquakes?
At 7.20 hours This Friday, July 17, the Insivumeh registered an earthquake of magnitude 5.0 in the epicentral region of the Pacific Ocean, very close to the coast of the department of San Marcos. However, an hour later, at 8.47 hoursreported a magnitude earthquake 5.6 with epicenter in the department of Quetzaltenango.
A minute later, at 8.48 hours This Friday, July 17, the Insivumeh registered an earthquake of magnitude 7.4 in the epicentral region of the Pacific Ocean, near the border between the department of San Marcos and Mexico. It was the strongest tremor felt in much of the national territory, including the Guatemala City.
This situation generated confusion among Guatemalans, so the Insivumeh spokesperson explained that the preliminary record placed the magnitude earthquake in Quetzaltenango. 5.6; However, according to institutional protocols, a manual review was carried out and it was subsequently determined that the earthquake was 7.4 in the Pacific region.
6. How many emergencies are registered in Guatemala?
At least 58 Emergencies have been reported nationwide after the magnitude tremor 7.4. One person hospitalized, three houses damaged mild and three with severe damage; In addition, three roads affected by landslides and 14 schools with cracks, according to preliminary information provided by authorities at a press conference.
7. Was there a tsunami warning?
Initially, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center had issued a low threat alert for Guatemala, as confirmed by the Insivumeh spokesperson.
In the case of Mexico, Insivumeh reported that “giant and destructive waves” could be generated in that country, but that they would not affect Guatemala, because the threat classification in the Central American country is low.
8. Are there any injuries or deaths?
Preliminarily, in both Guatemala and Mexico no deaths or injuries have been reported due to the earthquakes.
What the authorities have recorded Guatemalan They are damages to different structures.
9. Replicas
Both Insivumeh and Conred reported that approximately 42 aftershocks after the magnitude earthquake 7.4.
10. Are Guatemala and Mexico seismic countries?
Mexico is among the countries with the highest seismic activity in the world due to the interaction of several tectonic plates. The southern states, particularly Chiapas, Oaxaca and Guerrero, concentrate some of the most intense earthquakes recorded in the country.
For its part, Insivumeh has registered in the last 24 hours in Guatemala at least 22 tremors, of which three were felt by the population. So far this year, the country accumulates 3 thousand 730 earthquakes, 83 of them perceived.