The earthquake struck about seven miles southwest of Santa María Zapotitlán, Mexico. Perceived shaking for the quake was very strong. The event was widely felt, with more than 600 "Did You Feel It?" reports thus far submitted.  

USGS scientists expect that this event will trigger aftershocks, but these will decrease in frequency over time.  

Visit the USGS earthquake event page for more information. For estimates of casualties and damage, visit the USGS Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response (PAGER) website.  

The earthquake also resulted in a tsunami threat message issued by NOAA's Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. This message indicates the potential for hazardous tsunami waves within 1,000 kilometers of the epicenter, including forecasted waves of less than 0.3 meters in amplitude in Hawaii. 

The earthquake occurred as the result of shallow thrust faulting, likely on the subduction zone interface between the Cocos and North America tectonic plates. Large earthquakes in this region are common. Today's earthquake is near the northern end of the aftershock distribution of the September 2017 magnitude 8.2 earthquake, which was a normal faulting event within the subducting Cocos plate.   

If you felt this earthquake, report your experience on the “USGS Did You Feel It?” website for this event.  

For information about tsunami watches, warnings or advisories, visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tsunami website.  

The USGS operates a 24/7 National Earthquake Information Center in Colorado that can be reached for more information at 303-273-8500.  

Learn more about the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program.  

We will update this story if more information becomes available.  

Earthquake Information/Resources  

• Earthquake Basics  

• USGS Earthquakes Homepage  

• Earthquake Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)  

• USGS Roles, Responsibility, and Research  

• Did You Feel It?