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. |
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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.
People | MMI Level | Shaking | Damage |
---|---|---|---|
0 | I |
Not noticable | None |
0 | II |
Very weak | None |
5,554,000 | III |
Weak | Probably none |
19,300,000 | IV |
Light | Likely none |
0 | V |
Moderate | Very light |
0 | VI |
Strong | Light |
0 | VII |
Very Strong | Moderate |
0 | VIII |
Severe | Moderate to heavy |
0 | IX |
Violent | Heavy |
0 | X |
Extreme | Very heavy |
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
Distance | Place | Intensity (MMI) |
---|---|---|
8 km (5 mi) W from epicenter |
Jalapa Jalapa, Guatemala. |
III
Weak |
35 km (22 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Sanarate El Progreso, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
38 km (24 mi) S from epicenter |
Jutiapa Jutiapa, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
40 km (25 mi) SE from epicenter |
Asunción Mita Jutiapa, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
44 km (27 mi) ENE from epicenter |
Chiquimula Chiquimula, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
48 km (30 mi) W from epicenter |
Palencia Guatemala, Guatemala. |
III
Weak |
54 km (34 mi) W from epicenter |
San José Pinula Guatemala, Guatemala. |
III
Weak |
56 km (35 mi) NE from epicenter |
Zacapa Zacapa, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
57 km (35 mi) SW from epicenter |
Cuilapa Santa Rosa, Guatemala. |
III
Weak |
60 km (37 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Metapán Santa Ana, El Salvador. |
IV
Light |
60 km (37 mi) SW from epicenter |
Barberena Santa Rosa, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
60 km (37 mi) WNW from epicenter |
San Pedro Ayampuc Guatemala, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
60 km (37 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Fraijanes Guatemala, Guatemala. |
III
Weak |
61 km (38 mi) E from epicenter |
Esquipulas Chiquimula, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
63 km (39 mi) W from epicenter |
Santa Catarina Pinula Guatemala, Guatemala. |
III
Weak |
63 km (39 mi) W from epicenter |
Chinautla Guatemala, Guatemala. |
III
Weak |
64 km (40 mi) W from epicenter |
Guatemala City Guatemala, Guatemala. |
III
Weak |
68 km (42 mi) NW from epicenter |
Salamá Baja Verapaz, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
69 km (43 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Villa Canales Guatemala, Guatemala. |
III
Weak |
71 km (44 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Petapa Guatemala, Guatemala. |
III
Weak |
73 km (45 mi) W from epicenter |
Villa Nueva Guatemala, Guatemala. |
III
Weak |
74 km (46 mi) W from epicenter |
Mixco Guatemala, Guatemala. |
III
Weak |
76 km (47 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Chalchuapa Santa Ana, El Salvador. |
IV
Light |
79 km (49 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Amatitlán Guatemala, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
79 km (49 mi) W from epicenter |
San Juan Sacatepéquez Guatemala, Guatemala. |
III
Weak |
80 km (50 mi) W from epicenter |
San Lucas Sacatepéquez Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. |
III
Weak |
80 km (50 mi) S from epicenter |
Ahuachapán Ahuachapán, El Salvador. |
IV
Light |
81 km (50 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Santa Ana Santa Ana, El Salvador. |
IV
Light |
81 km (50 mi) NE from epicenter |
Gualán Zacapa, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
82 km (51 mi) W from epicenter |
Santiago Sacatepéquez Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. |
III
Weak |
87 km (54 mi) W from epicenter |
Santa María de Jesús Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
88 km (55 mi) W from epicenter |
Sumpango Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
88 km (55 mi) W from epicenter |
Antigua Guatemala Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
88 km (55 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Palín Escuintla, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
89 km (55 mi) W from epicenter |
Jocotenango Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
90 km (56 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Panzos Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
92 km (57 mi) W from epicenter |
Ciudad Vieja Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
94 km (58 mi) W from epicenter |
El Tejar Chimaltenango, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
97 km (60 mi) W from epicenter |
Chimaltenango Chimaltenango, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
97 km (60 mi) W from epicenter |
Alotenango Sacatepéquez, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
100 km (62 mi) W from epicenter |
San Andrés Itzapa Chimaltenango, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
101 km (63 mi) WSW from epicenter |
Escuintla Escuintla, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
104 km (65 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Sonsonate Sonsonate, El Salvador. |
IV
Light |
105 km (65 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Cobán Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
122 km (76 mi) SE from epicenter |
Apopa San Salvador, El Salvador. |
IV
Light |
123 km (76 mi) E from epicenter |
Santa Rosa de Copán Copán, Honduras. |
IV
Light |
125 km (78 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Chalatenango Chalatenango, El Salvador. |
IV
Light |
127 km (79 mi) SSE from epicenter |
Santa Tecla La Libertad, El Salvador. |
IV
Light |
128 km (80 mi) SE from epicenter |
Mejicanos San Salvador, El Salvador. |
IV
Light |
131 km (81 mi) SE from epicenter |
San Salvador San Salvador, El Salvador. |
IV
Light |
133 km (83 mi) SE from epicenter |
Soyapango San Salvador, El Salvador. |
IV
Light |
133 km (83 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Chichicastenango Quiché, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
137 km (85 mi) W from epicenter |
Sololá Sololá, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
147 km (91 mi) SE from epicenter |
Cojutepeque Cuscatlán, El Salvador. |
IV
Light |
158 km (98 mi) W from epicenter |
Totonicapán Totonicapán, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
163 km (101 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Sensuntepeque Cabañas, El Salvador. |
IV
Light |
164 km (102 mi) SE from epicenter |
San Vicente San Vicente, El Salvador. |
IV
Light |
170 km (106 mi) SE from epicenter |
Zacatecoluca La Paz, El Salvador. |
IV
Light |
171 km (106 mi) W from epicenter |
Mazatenango Suchitepeque, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
174 km (108 mi) W from epicenter |
Quetzaltenango Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
183 km (114 mi) E from epicenter |
Santa Bárbara Santa Bárbara, Honduras. |
IV
Light |
184 km (114 mi) WNW from epicenter |
Huehuetenango Huehuetenango, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
187 km (116 mi) NE from epicenter |
Puerto Barrios Izabal, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
190 km (118 mi) W from epicenter |
Retalhuleu Retalhuleu, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
196 km (122 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Poptún Petén, Guatemala. |
IV
Light |
202 km (126 mi) W from epicenter |
San Pedro Sacatepéquez San Marcos, Guatemala. |
|
213 km (132 mi) SE from epicenter |
Usulután Usulután, El Salvador. |
IV
Light |
222 km (138 mi) ESE from epicenter |
San Francisco Morazán, El Salvador. |
IV
Light |
225 km (140 mi) ENE from epicenter |
San Pedro Sula Cortés, Honduras. |
IV
Light |
227 km (141 mi) SE from epicenter |
San Miguel San Miguel, El Salvador. |
IV
Light |
243 km (151 mi) ENE from epicenter |
El Progreso Yoro, Honduras. |
|
243 km (151 mi) E from epicenter |
La Paz La Paz, Honduras. |
|
246 km (153 mi) E from epicenter |
Comayagua Comayagua, Honduras. |
|
254 km (158 mi) W from epicenter |
Tapachula Chiapas, Mexico. |
|
266 km (165 mi) ESE from epicenter |
La Unión La Unión, El Salvador. |
|
295 km (183 mi) NNE from epicenter |
San Ignacio Cayo, Belize. |
|
298 km (185 mi) E from epicenter |
Tegucigalpa Francisco Morazán, Honduras. |
|
298 km (185 mi) ESE from epicenter |
San Lorenzo Valle, Honduras. |
|
329 km (204 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Ciudad Choluteca Choluteca, Honduras. |
|
354 km (220 mi) NNW from epicenter |
Tenosique Tabasco, Mexico. |
|
359 km (223 mi) ENE from epicenter |
La Ceiba Atlántida, Honduras. |
|
365 km (227 mi) E from epicenter |
Danlí El Paraíso, Honduras. |
|
368 km (229 mi) NNE from epicenter |
Belize City Corozal, Belize. |
|
375 km (233 mi) SE from epicenter |
Chinandega Chinandega, Nicaragua. |
|
382 km (237 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Somoto Madriz, Nicaragua. |
|
387 km (240 mi) ESE from epicenter |
Ocotal Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua. |
|
398 km (247 mi) E from epicenter |
Juticalpa Olancho, Honduras. |
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.
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.
Read: How to Stay Safe during an Earthquake (cdc.gov).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
Factor | Under Sea? | MAG-6.5 or stronger? | Shallow depth? |
---|---|---|---|
Explanation | Almost all tsunami's are caused by earthquakes with their epicenter under sea or very near the sea. However stay cautious in coastal areas as earthquakes on land may cause landslides into sea, potentially still causing a local tsunami. | Under MAG 6.5: Very unlikely to cause a tsunami. MAG 6.5 to 7.5: Destructive tsunami's do occur, but are uncommon. Likely to observe small sea level changes. MAG 7.6+: Earthquakes with these magnitudes might produce destructive tsunami's. |
Most destructive tsunami's are caused by shallow earthquakes with a depth between 0 and 100km under the surface of the earth. Deeper tsunami's are unlikely to displace to ocean floor. |
This Earthquake | Not this earthquake. This earthquake appears to have struck on land far from any coast. |
Not this earthquake. This earthquake had a magnitude of 6.2. Earthquakes of this strength are unlikely to trigger a tsunami. |
Not this earthquake. This earthquake occurred at a depth of 262 km (163 mi). Earthquakes this deep in the earth are unlikely to trigger a tsunami. |
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.