Significant M5.8 Earthquake hit near Tonalá in Mexico on Wednesday Night.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on August 9th, 2023. Last updated October 8th, 2023.

Under land 6 kilometer from Tonalá in Mexico, a significant MAG-5.8 earthquake occurred in the night of Wednesday August 9th, 2023. Roughly 9 million people may have felt this earthquake. Guatemala is also near its epicenter.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Mexico, 6 kilometer (4 mi) north-northeast of Tonalá in Chiapas. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 103 km.

Date and Time:	Aug 9, 2023 04:33 (Mexico City Time) - Aug 9, 2023 09:33 Universal Time.
Location:	6 km NNE of Tonalá, Chiapas, Mexico. Coordinates 16°8'28"N 93°44'25"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 5.8 Detected by 71 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.037 .
Depth:	103 km (64 mi) An intermediate depth.
Max. Intensity:	V Moderate On the Modified Mercalli Scale.
Tsunami Risk:	Tsunami very unlikely Tsunami's are usually caused by MAG-6.5+ earthquakes, less than 100km shallow, and with an epicenter under sea. Neither of this seems to be the case. Always stay cautious - More info here.

Minimal impact predicted

Based on scientific estimates by the US Geographic Survey (USGS), the risk of high fatalities for this earthquake is classified at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 fatalities, and a 96% chance that the number of fatalities falls no higher than 10.

The USGS classifies the economic impact of this earthquake at level GREEN (low). They expect an 65% likelyhood of between 0 and 1 million US Dollars in economic damage and impact, and a 96% chance that the economic impact of this earthquake falls no higher than 10 million USD.

Roughly 9 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 9 million have been exposed to shaking (An MMI or Modified Mercalli Intensity level II or higher) as a result of this earthquake according scientific estimates published by the USGS.

An estimated 5,938,000 people were exposed to level IV. At this level, light shaking and likely no damage can be expected.

People in 2 countries have been exposed to shaking. In Mexico , around 7.3 million people, with impact levels up to IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Roughly 1.3 million people were exposed to shaking in Guatemala .

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Mexico and Guatemala are both within 300km distance of its epicenter.

Located 6 kilometer (4 mi) north-northeast of the epicenter of this earthquake, Tonalá (Chiapas, Mexico) is the nearest significant population center. Tonalá experienced an earthquake intensity (MMI Scale) of roughly IV. That level implies light shaking and likely no damage.

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Tuxtla is located 96 km to the north-east and experienced an intensity of IV (light shaking, likely no damage). Guatemala City is located 384 km to the east-southeast (intensity unknown, possibly low). Villahermosa is located 223 km to the north-northeast (intensity unknown, possibly low).

The table below provides an overview of all places in proximity of today's earthquake. Where available, the estimated intensity on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in each place is included. Places where this information is omitted likely experienced little impact.

Overview of nearby places

Earthquake Intensity Map

The maximum intensity (MMI Scale) caused by this earthquake is IV. The map below shows in which areas this earthquake was the most and least impactful. It is based on data from the US Geographic Survey.

I Not felt

II Weak

III Weak

IV Light

V Moderate

VI Strong

VII Very Strong

VIII Severe

IX Violent

X Extreme

Shaking reported by 31 people in 3 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 31 people have reported shaking in 20 places in 3 countries (Belize, Guatemala, Mexico).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico: 5 people.
• Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico: 4 people.
• Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico: 3 people.
• San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico: 3 people.
• Orange Walk, Orange Walk, Belize: 1 person.
• Tlalnepantla, México, Mexico: 1 person.
• Paraíso, Tabasco, Mexico: 1 person.
• Puebla, Puebla, Mexico: 1 person.
• Santa María del Tule, Oaxaca, Mexico: 1 person.
• Santa Lucía del Camino, Oaxaca, Mexico: 1 person.

8 Aftershocks detected

After this earthquake struck, 8 smaller aftershocks occurred. At a distance of 94 km (58 mi) south-southeast of this earthquake, an aftershock struck 2 days later. It measured a magnitude of 4.1

In the days before this main shock, 2 smaller foreshocks were detected. Roughly 1 day before this earthquake, a foreshock measuring MAG-4.1 was detected nearby this earthquake.

Overview of foreshocks and aftershocks

More earthquakes coming?

Earthquakes can create aftershocks. These are generally at least 1 magnitude lower than any main shock, and as time passes the chance and strength of aftershocks decreases.

It's always adviced to be cautious of the risk of a larger shock following any significant earthquake, however this risk is fairly small. There is a roughly 94 percent change that no larger main shock will follow in the days following this earthquake.

Earthquakes like this happen often in the region

Earthquakes of this strength are very common in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since July 14th, 2023, when a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit 139 km (86 mi) further south. An even stronger magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck on September 8th, 2017.

In total, 23 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.8 or higher have been registered within 300km (186 mi) of this epicenter in the past 10 years. This comes down to an average of once every 5 months.

Tsunami very unlikely

It is very unlikely that this eartquake will cause any tsunami's. The reported magnitude is lower than the MAG-6.5 strength required to cause any earthquakes. In addition, this earthquake was not very shallow and appears to have occurred under land. However always stay cautious and monitor advice from local authorities.

Tsunami Risk Factors

Sources

Last updated 08/10/23 03:17 (). This article is automatically generated based on available data. We keep checking multiple sources for additional information. This article gets updated as new details on this earthquake become available.

1. US Geographic Society (USGS): Earthquake us6000kyty
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20230809_0000076
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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