A 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit the border between Mexico and Guatemala: no injuries reported

An earthquake of 6.4 magnitude shook the border region between Mexico and Guatemala early on Sunday 12^th of May. The quake struck shortly before 6a.m. near the Mexican border town of Suchiate and its epicenter was just off the Pacific coast, about 16km west-southwest of Brisas Barra de Suchiate. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake had a depth of 75km.

As locals stated, in the mountainous city of San Cristobal, the shaking was strong, but thankfully, there were no immediate reports of damage in Mexico. In addition, due to the earthquake the mountainous areas along the border are susceptible to landslides.

Guatemala’s national disaster prevention agency shared images of minor landslides on highways in the Quetzaltenango region and significant cracks in walls at a hospital in San Marcos. Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries or fatalities. As well, in Tapachula, the area near the border, civil defense brigades were conducting assessments for any signs of damage. However, no damage was reported.

Subsequently, there was a notable series of small earthquakes in Baja California, Mexico's northern state, near the U.S. border. Although the largest recorded a magnitude of 4.6, most ranged between 2.5 and 3.7. It is mentioned that this region is thinly populated, and there were no immediate damage reports, situated roughly 50km south of a desolate area south of El Centro, California. Curiously, these seismic occurrences did not seem to be linked to the earthquake in Suchiate, which took place almost 3,750km southeast.