Strong Earthquake Strikes Offshore Guatemala

Quake Measuring Up to Magnitude 6.1 Strikes Offshore Guatemala

Strong earthquake measuring as large as 6.1Mw struck south of Guatemala about 85 km (55 miles) WSW of Santa Ana, El Salvador and 105 km (65 miles) SSE of GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, at a depth of  about 50km on January 18, 2010 at 15:40 UTC.

This quake may (have) cause (caused) landslides in the mountainous regions of both El Salvador and Guatemala, which have not yet been detected (reported).

Tsunami Report

The quake was not large enough, and struck deep, to create a tsunami.

Location Reports:

The earthquake shook the buildings in El Salvador capital city of  San Salvador  causing panic among the residents, but did not cause any damage, according to Latin Press.

“We felt a tremor that was a bit strong. We are monitoring the area but there is no damage here. It was a light movement that lasted for a few seconds,” said a tourism official from the Guatemalan tourist office in Puerto Quetzal, on the country’s south coast, according to Reuters.

10-degree Map Centered at 15°N,90°W

Earthquake location Map. Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by FEWW

Earthquake Details:

• Magnitude: 5.8 [FEWW Estimate: As large as 6.1Mw ]
• Date-Time:
  • Monday, January 18, 2010 at 15:40:27 UTC
  • Monday, January 18, 2010 at 09:40:27 AM at epicenter
• Location: 13.696°N, 90.333°W
• Depth: 54.8 km (34.1 miles)
• Region: OFFSHORE GUATEMALA
• Distances:
  • 85 km (55 miles) WSW of Santa Ana, El Salvador
  • 105 km (65 miles) SSE of GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala
  • 115 km (75 miles) W of SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador
  • 1140 km (710 miles) ESE of MEXICO CITY, D.F., Mexico
• Location Uncertainty: horizontal +/- 6.3 km (3.9 miles)
• Source: USGS NEIC (WDCS-D)
• Event ID: us2010rqb3

Seismic Hazard Map

Click image to enlarge. Source: USGS/EHP. Enhanced by FEWW

Related Links:

• Earthquake Information for Central America
• FEWW Earthquake Links
• Mag 7.1 Offshore Quake Rattles Honduras