Strong M6.2 Earthquake hit near Jalapa in Guatemala on Saturday Evening.

Written by Earthquakelist.org on July 21st, 2024. Last updated September 18th, 2024.

In the evening of Saturday July 20th, 2024, a strong MAG-6.2 earthquake hit under land 8 kilometer from Jalapa in Guatemala. The earthquake struck near a very densely populated region. Roughly 25 million people may have felt this earthquake. Other countries near the epicenter include El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico and Belize.

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Earthquake Summary

The earthquake struck on land in Guatemala, 8 kilometer (5 mi) east of Jalapa. The center of this earthquake had an intermediate depth of 262 km.

Date and Time:	Jul 20, 2024 08:53PM (Guatemala Time) - Jul 21, 2024 02:53 Universal Time.
Location:	8 km east of Jalapa, Guatemala. Coordinates 14°38'9"N 89°54'57"W.
Map:	Map of area around epicenter. Click to open in Google Maps.
Magnitude:	MAG 6.2 Detected by 155 stations. Maximum Error Range ±0.025 .
Depth:	262 km (163 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 25 million people exposed to shaking

An estimated 25 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.

The highest earthquake impact level for this earthquake is IV, which corresponds with light shaking and likely no damage. Roughly 19,300,000 people are expected to be exposed to this level.

People in 6 countries have been exposed to shaking. Roughly 16 million people were exposed to shaking in Guatemala , with level IV (light shaking, likely no damage) as the highest recorded. Roughly 6 million people were exposed to shaking in El Salvador . Roughly 2.5 million people were exposed to shaking in Honduras . Other countries where people were exposed to shaking include Mexico and Belize.

Nearby towns and cities

This earthquake struck within proximity of multiple countries. Guatemala , El Salvador , Honduras , Mexico and Belize are all within 300km distance of its epicenter. Futher away, this earthquake may also have been felt in Nicaragua.

The closest significant population center near the earthquake is Jalapa in Jalapa, Guatemala. Jalapa is located 8 kilometer (5 mi) east of the epicenter. The intensity of shaking and damage in Jalapa is estimated to be around level III on the Modified Mercalli Intensity scale (weak shaking, probably no damage).

Multiple large cities are in proximity of today's earthquake. Guatemala City is located 64 km to the west and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Mixco is located 74 km to the west and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage). Villa Nueva is located 73 km to the west and experienced an intensity of III (weak shaking, probably no damage).

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 85 people in 5 countries

People that feel an earthquake may report their experience to the US Geographic Survey. Currently, 85 people have reported shaking in 41 places in 5 countries (El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica).We keep updating this article as more ground reports become available. You may report that you felt this earthquake here.

Places with most reports:

• Santa Catarina Pinula, Guatemala, Guatemala: 12 people.
• Sámara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica: 5 people.
• Guatemala, Guatemala, Guatemala: 5 people.
• San Salvador, San Salvador, El Salvador: 5 people.
• Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez, Guatemala: 5 people.
• Chinautla, Guatemala, Guatemala: 4 people.
• Ticuantepe, Managua, Nicaragua: 3 people.
• Sardinal, Guanacaste, Costa Rica: 3 people.
• Antiguo Cuscatlán, La Libertad, El Salvador: 3 people.
• Olintepeque, Quezaltenango, Guatemala: 2 people.

Risk of aftershocks?

This earthquake did not have any significant foreshocks nor aftershocks occurring within 100km (62 mi) of its epicenter.

The risk of aftershocks decreases rapidly over time. Usually, aftershocks are at least one order of magnitude lower than a main shock.

In only six percent of cases, significant earthquakes are followed by a larger main shock, making the current earthquake a foreshock. While the chance of this happening is not so large, it is adviced to maintain cautiousness in the hours and days following a major earthquake.

Earthquakes like this are common in the region

Earthquakes of this strength occur quite regularly in the region. This is the strongest earthquake to hit since May 12th, 2024, when a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit 275 km (171 mi) further west. An even stronger magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck on June 14th, 2017.

In total, 8 earthquakes with a magnitude of 6.2 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 year.

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 18/09/24 07:58 (). 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 us7000n0ka
2. European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC): Earthquake 20240721_0000037
3. Geonames.org: World Cities Database
4. Google Maps: Static API
5. Earthquakelist.org: Historic Earthquakes Database

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