A powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck the border region between Mexico and Guatemala early Sunday morning, sending residents fleeing into the streets. The quake’s epicenter was located off the Pacific coast, approximately 10 miles west-southwest of Brisas Barra de Suchiate, where the Suchiate River separates the two countries. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the depth of the earthquake at 47 miles.
Earthquake Impacts in Mexico and Guatemala
While no immediate damage was reported in Mexico, concerns remain for landslides in the mountainous border areas. Civil defense brigades in Tapachula, a Mexican city near the border, were deployed to assess potential damage. Didier Solares, an official with Suchiate’s Civil Defense agency, confirmed that no damage had been found. “Luckily, everything is good,” Solares stated, adding that communication with rural areas via radio also revealed no damage.
In Guatemala, the national disaster prevention agency shared images on social media depicting minor landslides obstructing highways in the Quetzaltenango region and significant cracks in the walls of a hospital in San Marcos. Despite the visible damage, no fatalities were reported.
Residents React to the Early Morning Tremor
Despite the lack of major damage, the early morning earthquake caused widespread fear and disruption. In San Cristobal, a mountainous colonial city, residents were awakened by the strong shaking. Joaquin Morales, a local resident, credited the seismic alert service for providing a 30-second warning before the quake.
In Tuxtla Chico, near Tapachula, teacher María Guzmán described the experience as “horrible” and “a real scare.” The intensity of the quake underscored the ever-present threat of seismic activity in the region.
Earthquake Swarm in Baja California
Later on Sunday, a swarm of over two dozen smaller earthquakes rattled Baja California, a Mexican state bordering the U.S. The strongest quake in the swarm measured 4.6 magnitude, with the majority registering between 2.5 and 3.7. The swarm occurred approximately 30 miles south of El Centro, California, in a sparsely populated area. No damage was reported. Experts do not believe this swarm is connected to the earlier earthquake in Suchiate, nearly 2,330 miles to the southeast.
The 6.4 magnitude earthquake near the Guatemala-Mexico border serves as a reminder of the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity. While the immediate impact appears to be limited, ongoing assessments will be crucial to determine the full extent of the damage and ensure the safety of residents in affected areas.
