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 4 earthquakes, the largest an M4.6 (5 km ENE of Tierra y Libertad, Mexico).
Counts include M2.5+ events — the smallest size USGS reports consistently worldwide.
Recent earthquakes
| Magnitude | Time (UTC) | Depth | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| M4.3 | Oct 27, 15:45 UTC | 10 km | 99 km SW of Puerto Madero, Mexico |
| M4.6 | Oct 27, 12:01 UTC | 140 km | 5 km ENE of Tierra y Libertad, Mexico |
| M2.5 | Oct 27, 11:46 UTC | 10 km | 13 km E of Pearsall, Texas |
| M3.0 | Oct 26, 20:47 UTC | 8 km | 44 km SSW of Terlingua, Texas |
| M2.7 | Oct 25, 19:54 UTC | 3 km | 8 km W of Hallettsville, Texas |
| M4.0 | Oct 25, 13:22 UTC | 10 km | 7 km NNW of Agua Caliente Grande (De Gastélum), Mexico |
| M4.4 | Oct 24, 07:31 UTC | 35 km | 74 km SSW of Puerto Madero, Mexico |
| M4.2 | Oct 22, 07:28 UTC | 177 km | 3 km WNW of Patzité, Guatemala |
| M4.6 | Oct 22, 03:35 UTC | 49 km | 97 km SW of El Palmarcito, Mexico |
| M2.5 | Oct 20, 20:46 UTC | 8 km | 19 km ESE of Pearsall, Texas |
Notable recent activity
An M4.6 earthquake struck 5 km ENE of Tierra y Libertad, Mexico at 12:01 UTC on Oct 27 at a depth of 140 km.
An M4.6 earthquake struck 97 km SW of El Palmarcito, Mexico at 03:35 UTC on Oct 22 at a depth of 49 km.
An M4.4 earthquake struck 74 km SSW of Puerto Madero, Mexico at 07:31 UTC on Oct 24 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.