Recent earthquakes in Mexico
Mexico's Pacific coast marks where the Cocos and Rivera plates subduct beneath the North American Plate along the Middle America Trench, driving most of the country's large earthquakes. Baja California to the northwest is split by the Gulf of California's spreading and transform faults. The 1985 Michoacán earthquake (M8.0) devastated Mexico City hundreds of kilometres from its offshore source. In the past 24 hours, Mexico has recorded 3 earthquakes, the largest an M5.9 (50 km WSW of Brisas Barra de Suchiate, Mexico).
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.4 | Jul 29, 00:40 UTC | 35 km | 71 km SW of Puerto Madero, Mexico |
| M4.7 | Jul 28, 16:14 UTC | 48 km | 45 km SSW of Puerto Madero, Mexico |
| M5.9 | Jul 28, 05:35 UTC | 35 km | 50 km WSW of Brisas Barra de Suchiate, Mexico |
| M4.1 | Jul 26, 15:48 UTC | 68 km | 69 km SSW of Nueva Concepción, Guatemala |
| M4.3 | Jul 26, 15:34 UTC | 96 km | 10 km E of Nueva Concepción, Guatemala |
| M4.2 | Jul 26, 10:04 UTC | 35 km | 18 km SSW of Ocós, Guatemala |
| M5.1 | Jul 25, 05:26 UTC | 35 km | 43 km SW of Puerto Madero, Mexico |
| M4.5 | Jul 24, 17:33 UTC | 202 km | 7 km SSE of Francisco Rueda, Mexico |
| M4.3 | Jul 24, 13:57 UTC | 10 km | 115 km WSW of Puerto Madero, Mexico |
| M4.5 | Jul 23, 22:39 UTC | 10 km | 134 km SW of Puerto Madero, Mexico |
| M4.5 | Jul 23, 15:29 UTC | 30 km | 103 km SSW of La Esperanza (El Zapotal), Mexico |
| M4.9 | Jul 23, 13:14 UTC | 35 km | 57 km SW of Champerico, Guatemala |
| M4.5 | Jul 23, 12:04 UTC | 10 km | 77 km SW of Champerico, Guatemala |
| M4.2 | Jul 23, 06:47 UTC | 10 km | 148 km SSW of La Esperanza (El Zapotal), Mexico |
| M4.3 | Jul 22, 17:03 UTC | 35 km | 66 km SSW of Puerto Madero, Mexico |
| M4.2 | Jul 22, 11:39 UTC | 10 km | 155 km SW of Puerto Madero, Mexico |
| M4.5 | Jul 22, 10:24 UTC | 35 km | 66 km SW of Puerto Madero, Mexico |
| M4.2 | Jul 22, 09:53 UTC | 35 km | 69 km SSW of Puerto Madero, Mexico |
Notable recent activity
A moderate M5.9 earthquake struck 50 km WSW of Brisas Barra de Suchiate, Mexico at 05:35 UTC on Jul 28 at a depth of 35 km.
A moderate M5.1 earthquake struck 43 km SW of Puerto Madero, Mexico at 05:26 UTC on Jul 25 at a depth of 35 km.
An M4.9 earthquake struck 57 km SW of Champerico, Guatemala at 13:14 UTC on Jul 23 at a depth of 35 km.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Mexico have earthquakes?
Along Mexico's Pacific coast the Cocos and Rivera plates subduct beneath North America, producing large offshore megathrust and intraslab earthquakes. In the northwest, Baja California is being rifted apart along the Gulf of California fault system.
How often do earthquakes hit Mexico?
Mexico records thousands of small earthquakes a year and a major event every few years, concentrated along the southern Pacific states of Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. September has coincidentally hosted several of its largest quakes.
What was the biggest earthquake in Mexico?
The September 7, 2017 Chiapas earthquake, magnitude 8.2, is the largest recorded in Mexico in over a century. The September 19, 1985 Michoacán earthquake (M8.0) was the most destructive, killing thousands in Mexico City.
Nearby regions
Live data from the USGS earthquake feeds. Magnitudes and depths are automated readings and may be revised. Not for emergency use.