7.3 Earthquake Hits Mexico-Guatemala Border: What We Know
7 3 earthquake hits Mexico Guatemala – A powerful 7.3 earthquake struck the border region between Mexico and Guatemala on Friday, sending tremors felt across multiple countries. While the seismic event was strong enough to be widely felt, authorities have reported no immediate damage or casualties in either nation. The earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 48 kilometers southwest of Aquiles Serdan in Chiapas state, at a depth of 15 kilometers beneath the Earth’s surface.
Residents React to Strong Tremors
The earthquake was preceded by a smaller precursor quake that originated slightly farther out in the Pacific Ocean. In Tapachula, the primary border city in Mexico’s southern region, residents described the experience as starting gently before intensifying significantly. Alejandra Mendoza, an administrative worker at a local public hospital, shared her account with The Associated Press: “We were upstairs on the second floor when it started shaking; we thought it would pass, but then it got stronger, so we all went downstairs and evacuated in an orderly manner to the front courtyard.”
“We were upstairs on the second floor when it started shaking; we thought it would pass, but then it got stronger, so we all went downstairs and evacuated in an orderly manner to the front courtyard.” — Alejandra Mendoza, hospital administrative employee
Meanwhile, in Guatemala City, the prolonged shaking frightened many residents during the morning rush hour. Hundreds of people emerged from buildings and poured into the streets as the workday was just beginning. The earthquake’s reach extended far beyond the immediate border region, with people feeling the tremors as far away as Mexico City and even El Salvador.
Tsunami Precautions and Regional Impact
In response to the seismic activity, Mexican authorities issued precautionary measures. The navy recommended that people stay away from beaches for six hours due to potential tsunami risk. Mayor Elmer Vázquez Gallardo of Suchiate, a town situated along the river that forms the natural boundary between Mexico and Guatemala, confirmed that coastal areas in his municipality are being closely monitored for any tsunami threats.
Interestingly, the earthquake alert system in Mexico City did not activate despite the strong shaking. Government officials explained that the energy radiated by the earthquake during its first few seconds did not exceed the system’s activation thresholds. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that preliminary reports indicated no significant damage had occurred in the capital or surrounding areas.
The southern Mexican region is historically prone to powerful earthquakes. Earlier this year, a strong seismic event rattled both southern and central Mexico, resulting in two fatalities. The region also experienced devastating seismic activity in 2017, when a 7.1 magnitude earthquake killed hundreds of people in Mexico City alone.
As of now, the U.S. Geological Survey continues to monitor aftershocks and seismic activity in the region. The 7.3 earthquake that hit Mexico and Guatemala’s border has served as a reminder of the region’s vulnerability to powerful seismic events, though the lack of immediate damage offers some relief to residents on both sides of the border.
