A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck near the Pacific resort city of Acapulco in southwest Mexico late Tuesday. Early reports indicate that the quake only caused limited damage and only one casualty has been reported so far.
The United States Geological Survey detected the quake about 2.5 miles east-northeast of Los órganos de San Agustín, just eight miles from Acapulco. The intensity of the quake caused some buildings to sway in cities as far away as Mexico, hundreds of miles away.
The agency said the quake occurred at a depth of about 7.8 miles. Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said they have not yet received any reports on major structural damage in the capital. However, she said some homes are now without power.
Guerrero state Governor Hector Astudillo said that they had received reports of at least one person that was killed by a falling post in the town of Coyuca de Benitez. Apart from the casualty, authorities had received reports of gas leaks, minor landslides, fallen posts, broken windows, and damaged walls.
M7.0 #earthquake (#sismo) strikes 18 km NE of Acapulco de Juárez (#Mexico) 32 min ago. Updated map of its effects: pic.twitter.com/5nYMFLOD7Z — EMSC (@LastQuake) September 8, 2021
Power companies have assured the public that they are now working to restore power. Mexico's metro service said there should be no disruptions to its services but they are taking precautions by conducting post-earthquake inspections.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration initially issued a tsunami warning immediately after the quake. The agency has since called off the warning.
Mexico's National Civil Defense said it is currently conducting reviews across 10 states but it has yet to receive reports of serious damage or deaths related to the quake. Residents in Mexico reportedly felt the ground share for nearly a minute. This prompted some buildings to evacuate people inside but most had quickly returned back inside since it was raining when the quake happened.
Earthquakes are relatively uncommon in Mexico when compared to countries located in and around known faults. Mexico is located at the edge of the North American tectonic plate.
The latest earthquake occurred just four years to the day of an 8.2 magnitude quake that hit Mexico's southern state of Chiapas. In Sept. 1985, an 8.0 earthquake had killed an estimated 9,500 people in Mexico City. The earthquake prompted city officials to implement earthquake protection measures after it left a huge scar on the cityscape.
