Southwest Mexico hit by powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

On Tuesday, a strong earthquake struck the southwest of Mexico causing widespread shaking as far away as Mexico City but limited damage. The United States Geological Survey informed that a 7.0 magnitude quake struck 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) east-northeast of Los Organos de San Agustin, about eight miles from the Pacific Coast beach resort city of Acapulco. It was measured at an initial depth of 7.8 miles (12.6 kilometers).

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also issued a tsunami warning right after the quake, but the alert has now been called off. Sounds of alarm could be heard in Mexico City little before the earthquake hit the region and ground started moving.

Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum took to social media to inform that there no initial reports of major damage in the capital were reported, which stands about 231 miles (372 kilometers) from the epicenter. Sheinbaum said that many people had lost electricity due to the calamity and informed that authorities are already working to restore power.

The city’s metro service said in a statement that train service has been resumed after it conducted a protocol review due to the quake. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador added there was no “significant damage” in Guerrero state, where the epicenter is located. While serious damage has not yet been reported from the epicenter, Obrador mentioned that authorities had received reports of falling rocks.

Earthquakes are incidents of common occurrence in Mexico as it is located at the edge of the North American tectonic plate. The country witnessed two major earthquakes in September 2017 and September 1985. The latter resulted in a magnitude-8.0 quake that killed approximately 9,500 people in and around Mexico City. The disaster left a huge impact on the city and resulted in changes in building codes and greater protections against earthquakes.

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