Mexico City, Mexico – A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the southern coast of Mexico Friday afternoon, shaking buildings across parts of Guatemala and El Salvador while officials monitored the potential for tsunami impacts along portions of the Pacific coast.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at 2:48 p.m. UTC (10:48 a.m. EDT) on Friday, July 17, approximately 48 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of Aquiles Serdán, Mexico, at a depth of 15.2 kilometers (9.4 miles).
The strong offshore earthquake was widely felt across southern Mexico and neighboring Guatemala and El Salvador, where residents reported buildings swaying for several seconds. There were no immediate reports of widespread damage or casualties as authorities continued assessing conditions.
Emergency officials urged residents to remain calm while following instructions from local authorities. Agencies were also evaluating whether coastal areas could experience hazardous tsunami waves following the powerful undersea quake.
The USGS assigned the event a preliminary maximum Modified Mercalli Intensity of VII (Very Strong) near the epicenter. The agency also indicated a significant potential for liquefaction in some affected coastal areas, though landslide impacts were expected to be limited.
As of publication, emergency management agencies continued monitoring the situation. Residents in coastal communities are encouraged to stay informed through official government alerts and be prepared to move to higher ground if tsunami advisories or warnings are issued.
The USGS noted that earthquake information remains preliminary and could be updated as additional seismic data becomes available.
